Crystal Palace
Mick Brown
Mon 24 March 2025 9:54, UK
Crystal Palace are eyeing a move to sign Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney as scouts have been keeping a close eye on his development.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 22-year-old would be open to the move this summer.
Hackney is thought to be interested in the possibility of a move to the Premier League, but the deal could hinge on whether Middlesbrough are promoted.
Michael Carrick’s side are currently eighth in the table, three points shy of the playoff places but just three ahead of 12th-placed Sheffield Wednesday.
Palace, meanwhile, remain keen to recruit from the Championship thanks to the success of Eberechi Eze, Michael Olise and Adam Wharton at Selhurst Park.
Hackney is seen as a similar type of signing, and would be given time to develop and prove himself at Palace in what would be the “ideal” move for him.
Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney
Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney is a target for Crystal Palace. (Credit: Imago)
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Football Insider exclusively revealed on 23 March that Aston Villa and Tottenham want to sign Hackney and are long-term admirers of the midfielder.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that Palace would be a good move for the Middlesbrough star to make the step up.
“Hayden Hackney is a name that has come up at Crystal Palace,” he told Football Insider.
“I watched him play in a game against Preston a couple of seasons ago and he really surprised me.
“He ran the game in the midfield, dominated the game, and I kept thinking ‘who is this?’ because I was actually there to watch somebody else.
“He has real talent, he sees the game before it happens and always knows his next pass which is a major asset for any top-level midfielder.
“Now he’s making waves again and he’s been a big part of this Middlesbrough team.
“He’s one of the players in the Championship who I would back to make that step up to the Premier League – and I think he would be interested in that.
“If Middlesbrough don’t go up, I think he’ll be available and Palace would be the ideal destination for him.
“They’ve had scouts keeping an eye on his progress and from what I hear, they like what they’ve seen.
“Palace have a good record recruiting from the Championship, we’ve seen them do it with the likes of Wharton and Olise.
“Hackney would be another one in that mould, who would be given the chance to play his game.
“I think it’s a move that suits both parties and could certainly see it happening.”
Crystal Palace
Oliver Glasner is already planning for the future at Crystal Palace. (Credit: Getty Images)
Man City and Tottenham learn Palace’s Adam Wharton stance
Palace’s interest in Hackney comes amid speculation about the future of Adam Wharton, who is attracting interest from some of Europe’s elite sides.
Brown told Football Insider on 12 March that Man City and Tottenham have been tracking Wharton with a potential summer move in mind.
Injury issues have derailed his season so far, but after a return to fitness and form under Glasner, he remains one of the most highly-rated midfielders in the country.
However, Football Insider revealed Palace are not interested in selling Wharton this summer as they have high hopes for his future and he is currently under contract until 2029.
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