Tottenham Hotspur could be handed a significant advantage in their pursuit of Hayden Hackney if Middlesbrough fail to win promotion from the Championship, with a former Spurs scout warning that it would become “impossible” for the club to hold on to the 23-year-old midfielder in that scenario.
Spurs had been considering a January move for the £30m-rated Boro star before eventually signing Conor Gallagher instead, but their interest has not gone away. Middlesbrough’s recent slump in form, which has seen them go winless in five Championship games and drop to third place, has changed the dynamics of the situation considerably.
Why Hayden Hackney will leave Middlesbrough if they miss promotion
Former Tottenham scout Mick Brown was direct in his assessment when speaking to Football Insider.
“The Millwall loss was a big blow for Middlesbrough. It’s far from over yet, and it could even have changed on Monday when there’s another round of fixtures, because you never know in the Championship. But if they don’t get promotion to the Premier League, it might be impossible to keep Hackney.”
There had been suggestions earlier in the season that Hackney could be persuaded to stay if Boro went up. That possibility now looks more remote with each passing result. A midfielder of his quality, rated at £30m and regarded by some as the best in the Championship, will not wait around in the second division if top-flight clubs come knocking this summer.
Nottingham Forest could yet beat Tottenham to Hackney’s signature
Spurs are not the only interested party, and Brown believes Nottingham Forest represent the most immediate threat to their chances. The former scout pointed to Forest’s financial resources and their clear need for midfield reinforcement as reasons why they could move fast.
“Nottingham Forest need a midfielder, and he’s somebody they were keen on in January, they see him as probably the best midfielder in the Championship. So if Middlesbrough are still in the second division next season, he’s going to be keen to make the step up, and Forest would be a good destination for him. They’ve got money to spend and they want to improve the squad, so they’ll be keeping a close eye on what happens between now and the end of the season.”
Manchester United have also been linked with Hackney, with suggestions that manager Michael Carrick could push for a move given his familiarity with the Championship market. The coming weeks of the season will be pivotal. If Middlesbrough’s promotion push unravels completely, the queue for Hackney’s signature is only going to grow longer.
