AliousCrystal Palace are setting their sights on Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney as they continue their successful strategy of recruiting top talent from the Championship.
Alongside Hackney, the Eagles are also interested in another standout player from Riverside Stadium.
The South London club has a strong track record of unearthing gems from England’s second tier, having previously secured the likes of Ebere Eze, Michael Olise, and Adam Wharton.
Even in the recent January transfer window, Director of Football Dougie Freedman dipped into the Championship once again to bring in Romain Esse from Millwall. Now, Crystal Palace are prepared to make another move, with Hackney firmly on their radar.
Palace See Hackney as Long-Term Successor to Will Hughes**
According to *TBR Football* Chief Correspondent Graeme Bailey, Crystal Palace are eager to secure Hackney’s services, viewing him as an ideal long-term replacement for Will Hughes.
The 22-year-old England U21 international has been a crucial figure for Middlesbrough, but with Nottingham Forest also expressing interest, Palace may face competition for his signature.
Reports indicate that Crystal Palace have been closely monitoring Hackney’s development over the past two years, convinced that the talented midfielder is now ready for a Premier League step-up.
Middlesbrough, who received £22.5m from Atlanta United for Emmanuel Latte Lath in January, are aware they will struggle to retain Hackney this summer—especially as their chances of reaching the play-offs continue to dwindle.
The Teessiders reportedly value their homegrown midfielder at around £20m.
Hackney’s performances have not gone unnoticed, with Aston Villa also keeping tabs on him. So far this season, the Redcar-born playmaker has contributed five goals and two assists in 30 Championship appearances, further proving his credentials.
Palace Also Eyeing Rav van den Berg**
Hackney isn’t the only Middlesbrough talent attracting interest from Selhurst Park. Sources indicate that Palace are also keen on Dutch centre-back Rav van den Berg, another highly rated prospect.
However, they aren’t the only club keeping an eye on him—Premier League rivals Brighton and Brentford have also expressed admiration for the young defender.
Beyond England, Van den Berg has gained significant attention from Germany, with Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen reportedly showing strong interest.
In fact, sources suggest that a move to the Bundesliga could be his most likely destination.
With Chelsea eyeing Marc Guéhi for a potential summer transfer, Palace could see Van den Berg as a potential replacement for the England international.
Whether they can fend off competition from abroad remains to be seen, but their interest in both Hackney and Van den Berg signals a continued ambition to strengthen their squad with promising young talent.
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