AliousCrystal Palace are reportedly setting their sights on a move for Middlesbrough’s highly-rated midfielder Hayden Hackney.
Palace Monitoring Championship Star Hayden Hackney
The 22-year-old has emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in the EFL and is a key figure in Michael Carrick’s midfield setup at Middlesbrough. His consistent performances in the Championship have not gone unnoticed, attracting interest from top clubs such as Manchester United, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur.
Portuguese powerhouse Porto were also linked with Hackney during the winter transfer window, with reports suggesting they had multiple bids rejected.
Now, according to *Football Insider*, Crystal Palace have joined the race for the England Under-21 international. The Eagles, who recently lost sporting director Dougie Freedman to an overseas role, are believed to have been closely tracking Hackney’s progress and have sent scouts to monitor him regularly.
Middlesbrough Face a Fight to Keep Hackney
Having developed through Middlesbrough’s academy since the age of 10, Hackney is seen as a prized asset at the Riverside Stadium. The club remains keen to hold onto him, but their ability to do so could depend on their promotion hopes.
Currently sitting eighth in the Championship table, three points behind sixth-placed West Bromwich Albion, Boro are still in the hunt for a playoff spot. However, should they fail to secure a place in the Premier League, resisting offers for Hackney could become increasingly difficult.
Carrick Praises Hackney’s Mentality and Talent
Speaking about the midfielder back in October, Carrick was full of praise for Hackney’s attitude and development. As quoted by *The Northern Echo*, the Boro boss said:
*”You couldn’t ask for much more from Hayden. He’s grounded, humble, and eager to learn. He loves the club, and when you combine that passion with his talent, it’s the perfect mix.”*
Carrick also highlighted Hackney’s consistency, emphasizing that it’s not easy for young players to maintain high standards over an extended period—but the midfielder has done exactly that.
With Palace now in the mix, Middlesbrough could have a battle on their hands to retain their midfield star, especially if Premier League interest continues to grow.
Alious
