Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney was watched by West Ham and Fulham against Norwich City on Saturday afternoon, as per Graeme Bailey.
Middlesbrough maintained their perfect start to the 2025/26 Championship campaign over the weekend as they defeated Norwich City 2-1 away from home.
Boro took all three points from Carrow Road and back to Teesside with them. The game was decided in two first-half minutes, with Finn Azaz opening the scored in the 43rd before Tommy Conway bagged on the 45th.
Boro - Middlesbrough striker Tommy Conway celebrates scoring
Image courtesy of: ANDREW BOYERS/REUTERS.
Jacob Wright saw red for the Canaries just before the hour-mark but Josh Sargent pulled one back late on. However, it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback as Rob Edwards’ men made it three from three.
Midfield star Hayden Hackney was among the influential performers again, and Premier League scouts were in attendance to watch him in action, as per Graeme Bailey and EFL Analysis.
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It is said that the Middlesbrough ace was watched by both West Ham and Fulham on Saturday afternoon as late window moves for the 23-year-old are plotted.
Goalscorer Azaz was another to catch the eye, and he is not without Premier League admirers either.
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Will Hayden Hackney leave Middlesbrough late?
For some time now, Hackney has been viewed as a player deserving of a shot at a higher level. Some may have expected him to move on when he was an emerging prospect, but if a switch materialises now, he does so as a proven Championship star.
The Middlesbrough academy graduate is widely deemed as one of the best players outside the Premier League, and it feels as though the time for him to make a step up has come.
Boro - Middlesbrough man Hayden Hackney celebrates
Image courtesy of: PAUL CHILDS/REUTERS.
However, if he leaves Boro, it will be on their terms. The rejection of an Ipswich Town move shows he doesn’t want to just depart for the sake of it, it needs to be a notable step up and one his abilities warrant.
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A West Ham or Fulham transfer would offer that, but it ultimately comes down to whether they’ll pay the money. If not, Boro will keep Hackney, and they remain in a good position with two years left on his contract.
Hayden Hackney’s Middlesbrough stats – via Transfermarkt
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The challenges of a last-gasp summer transfer window exit
If Middlesbrough were to lose Hackney this summer, they likely would have preferred for him to make his departure early. That way, they have plenty of time to source a replacement and invest the funds elsewhere in the squad.
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As it has transpired, any move now would be a late one. If Boro wanted a direct replacement, they would have to work quickly, and spreading the spending across a handful of positions could be even trickier.
Thankfully, Edwards has already seen a couple new midfielders added to his ranks, and it can be argued they will fill the gap left by Hackney if he does move.
Manchester City starlet Sverre Nypan hasn’t joined on loan to watch from the bench and could be an ideal replacement, while Abdoulaye Kante is another option.
Middlesbrough in talks to sign 24-year-old forward
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