Middlesbrough have been linked with a Leicester City midfielder as Hayden Hackney ‘closes in’ on a move to Everton
Middlesbrough reportedly have Leicester City midfielder Oliver Skipp on their radar as they brace for the loss of Hayden Hackney.
When the final whistle blew in the Championship play-off final, and Middlesbrough were condemned to another season in the second tier, a move for Hackney felt inevitable.
Oliver Skipp (left) could potentially replace Hayden Hackney (right) at Middlesbrough.placeholder image
Oliver Skipp (left) could potentially replace Hayden Hackney (right) at Middlesbrough. | Joe Giddens/PA Wire & Richard Sellers/PA Wire
Middlesbrough midfielder nears exit
According to The Telegraph, Hackney is closing in on a £25m move to the Toffees. The Merseyside club are said to have seen at least three offers knocked back, but an agreement is now seemingly close.
It has been suggested a deal could be fully agreed upon later this week and while it would be a bitter blow for Boro, they would at least see their coffers boosted.
Oliver Skipp linked
A replacement will be required and the report has indicated Skipp has cropped up on Middlesbrough’s radar.
The 25-year-old has spent the last two years with Leicester, suffering back-to-back relegations from the Premier League to League One.
A former England youth international, Skipp was well thought of at Tottenham Hotspur before a £20m move to Leicester was sanctioned in the summer of 2024.
Skipp is supposedly keen to depart, but Middlesbrough are said to have been deterred by a £15m price tag slapped on his head.
Oliver Skipp suffered relegation from the Championship with Leicester City last season.placeholder image
Oliver Skipp suffered relegation from the Championship with Leicester City last season. | Joe Giddens/PA Wire
If Leicester did lower their reported asking price, Skipp would arguably be an intriguing addition. Players associated with Leicester’s decline have seen their stocks lowered, but the midfielder undeniably possesses quality.
He made 106 appearances for Tottenham and won the Championship title as a loanee at Norwich City in 2021. During that campaign, he was among the standout performers in the second tier, thriving under the tutelage of current Leeds boss Daniel Farke.