Newcastle have scouted Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney
Hayden Hackney of Middlesbrough celebrates scoring
Hayden Hackney of Middlesbrough celebrates scoring(Image: Richard Lee/Shutterstock)
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Nottingham Forest have seen a deadline day transfer bid rejected for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.
Newcastle have sent scouts to watch the Boro academy graduate in action in recent weeks although any Magpies move for the 23-year-old would come in the summer.
Hackney is out of contract at the end of next season and is currently driving Boro's promotion push in the Championship. His goal in the 1-0 win over Norwich City on Saturday moved Kim Hellberg's side level on points with league leaders Coventry City at the top of the table.
It is understood a summer sale would be 'inevitable' if Boro don't win promotion but they aren't prepared to sell him at any price this month.
Forest have now tested that resolve, according to Sky Sports, but saw their bid rejected by Boro this morning. Forest have also failed in their pursuit to sign Celtic midfielder Arne Engels as they look to strengthen their options in the middle of the park.
Newcastle are monitoring Hackney's situation and he could be an option in the summer, particularly if Joe Willock leaves the club amid interest from Fulham, Crystal Palace and Leeds United.
Hackney was part of the England under-21 squad that won last summer's European Championships and was an international team-mate of Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento.
Boro accepted a £20million bid from Ipswich for Hackney in the summer but he decided to remain with his boyhood club for another season. He has made great strides in the Championship this season and he will certainly be a Premier League player next season, whether that is with Boro or elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Matt Targett's loan deal at Boro is expected to remain in place, with the defender staying at the Riverside until the end of the season.
Newcastle had been weighing up whether to recall the left-back this month, with a defensive injury crisis engulfing the club, but it now seems likely that Targett will remain at the Riverside. The 29-year-old is out of contract in the summer and appears to have kicked his last ball for the club.
Newcastle only have Lewis Hall as a recognised left-back, though Dan Burn and Tino Livramento - one of the players on the injury list - can operate there.
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