Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney has been watched by Newcastle United, a report from The Athletic has revealed.
Middlesbrough are no strangers to interest in their top assets and ahead of the January transfer window, speculation is bound to circulate over the futures of their big players.
Among the players to be touted for a big future for some time has been midfielder Hayden Hackney. The 22-year-old locked down a first-team spot after a stint on loan at Scunthorpe United and barring injuries, he’s been a mainstay ever since.
middlesbrough, Newcastle United keeping an eye on Middlesbrough standout ahead of January
Image courtesy of: PAUL CHILDS/REUTERS.
The midfielder has seven goals and six assists in 83 games for Boro and has been a regular for England’s U21s in recent seasons.
Now, ahead of January, new claims of interest in the Middlesbrough ace have emerged from The Athletic.
They report that Premier League side Newcastle United have ‘watched’ Hackney as they line up targets for the January transfer window. It is not said whether they will be moving for the Redcar-born ace, but he’s on the radar at St. James’ Park nonetheless.
Previous reports have said Boro have no interest in cashing in on Hackney or any of their other big assets, but that doesn’t guarantee that their resolve won’t be tested.
Hackney is one of the players who will be key in Middlesbrough’s push to make it to the Premier League. The club have shown before that they’re not afraid of selling their big assets when the right bid comes in.
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Morgan Rogers left for Aston Villa last winter but Boro drove a hard bargain. It seems as though they’re more likely to issue a ‘not for sale’ this winter though.
middlesbrough, Newcastle United keeping an eye on Middlesbrough standout ahead of January
Image courtesy of: CRAIG BROUGH/REUTERS.
Carrick will be eager to make it to the play-offs after last year’s disappointment and keeping their star men will be key to that. It will be tough to replace their major assets if sold in January and an exit for someone like Hackney would give Boro a big task of replacing him in a tricky window.
The run to January
Carrick and his Middlesbrough side are at the start of the hectic winter schedule. It could be key in the bid to win promotion from the Championship.
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They look to bounce back from defeat this weekend against Hull City after seeing a three-game winning streak ended by Blackburn Rovers on Wednesday. The Tigers will be under caretaker management after Tim Walter’s sacking.
The run to Christmas consists of games against Burnley, Leeds United, Millwall and Plymouth Argyle before a home game against Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day. They then end 2024 with against Burnley again.