Two Championship midfield stars are reportedly being scouted by the Premier League outfit amid the summer transfer window.
The summer transfer window is shifting up through the gears, ahead of its abrupt stop on Tuesday due to the Club World Cup.
Following the closure, the window will re-open for business on June 16 until the deadline day of September 1.
As seen by all second tier supporters this season, the 2024/25 Championship was littered with impressive talent that could easily make the step up to the Premier League.
Now, Premier League giants West Ham have reportedly scouted two Championship midfield stars, who could be poised for top flight transfers to the London Stadium this summer.
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images
Premier League West Ham United target Championship duo
According to reports in The Guardian from journalist Jacob Steinberg, West Ham have scouted two impressive Championship midfielders, as they look to bolster Graham Potter’s squad for his first full season in charge of the Hammers.
Sheffield United ace Sydie Peck is one of the proposed West Ham targets, after he caught the eye in the Blades’ engine room this season under Chris Wilder.
Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney is another name mooted for a West Ham move, with the reports coming just days after Boro boss Michael Carrick was sacked.
The report states: “Graham Potter knows that he has to be creative as he looks to revamp an ageing squad.
“West Ham need more legs and youth in midfield, and have scouted Sunderland’s Chris Rigg, Sheffield United’s Sydie Peck and Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney.
“There is also interest in the Sunderland forward Eliezer Mayenda.
“West Ham want a goalkeeper but are lukewarm on Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale.”
The interest in Sunderland duo Rigg and Mayenda is expected not to materialise following the Black Cats’ promotion, and sales of Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund and Tommy Watson to Brighton, which have boosted Sunderland’s financial prospects for next season.
However, at Boro, EFL Analysis revealed earlier this year that Hackney would leave Middlesbrough if the club failed to make the play-offs, which they did.
We have since learned that Hackney is the most likely Boro exit this summer because his sale would indicate pure profit on the balance sheet as a homegrown talent.
The duo’s statistics from the 2024/25 second tier season would suggest they can both make the step-up to life in the Premier League, if West Ham pull the transfer trigger this summer.
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Photo by MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Hayden Hackney and Sydie Peck’s statistics in 24/25 Championship
In the Blades’ midfield, Peck was a mainstay in Wilder’s side, making 45 Championship appearances this season which culminated in the play-off final defeat to Sunderland.
20-year-old Peck made 1,332 successful passes, won 167 duels, and made 143 recoveries in his first full season in Championship football.
Statistic from 24/25 Championship Hayden Hackney Sydie Peck
Games 43 45
Goals 5 0
Assists 3 2
Market value estimated £10m £6.3m
Transfer market values as per transfermarkt.co.uk
Hackney would likely be the main target for the Hammers, given his development and experience compared to Peck.
The Boro academy product scored five goals and three assists from central midfield this season, but his performances couldn’t stop Hackney’s Boro Premier League dream from being crushed.
With Hackney expected to depart The Riverside this summer and the sacking of Carrick, who played a pivotal role in the development of the England youth international’s career, the more plausible target for the Hammers would be the Boro starlet.