Leeds United are now plotting a summer move for a "super" midfielder, who is represented by the same agent as Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Leeds eyeing move for Championship star
Leeds are in a strong position to avoid relegation from the Premier League, currently sitting six points clear of the bottom three, and Calvert-Lewin has been key, with the striker near the top of the goalscoring charts.
Premier League top goalscorers Number of goals
Erling Haaland 22
Igor Thiago 17
Antoine Semenyo 13
Joao Pedro 10
Hugo Ekitike 10
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 10
The Englishman received high praise from manager Daniel Farke back in December, with the German saying: "For me, he is one of the best strikers in this league and he shows this quality in more or less every game."
As such, Farke will no doubt be happy to have the 28-year-old tied down for over two more years, but with the Whites faring well in their battle to avoid relegation, they have now started looking at new targets ahead of the summer transfer window.
Despite bringing in Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff last year, Leeds remain keen on signing a new midfielder, according to Alan Nixon (via Football League World), who reveals they are plotting a summer move for Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney.
Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney in action with Ipswich Town's Sammie Szmodics
Should Boro fail to achieve promotion to the Premier League, Farke's side would be interested in bringing Hackney to Elland Road, but his current employers are setting the pace, sitting two points clear of nearest-rivals Coventry City at the summit of the Championship table.
The 23-year-old has been a key player throughout the campaign, and there is every indication he is ready to make the step-up to the top flight one way or another next season...
"Super" Hackney impressing in the Championship
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder singled the central midfielder out for plaudits during the 2024-25 campaign, saying: "We were playing against two very good central midfielders. I’ve watched Hayden Hackney from afar, seeing his career flourish.
"There’s no better teacher for him than Michael, and he’ll enjoy the way Middlesbrough play. He’s a super player, and Morris is a good player in there too."
paraag-marathe-49ers Related
49ers now set to prioritise two major Leeds transfers this summer
They mean business.
Since then, the Englishman has continued to impress, chipping in with four goals and six assists in 31 Championship matches, and he has been Boro's most consistent performer, averaging a 7.58 FotMob match rating, the highest in the squad.
Not only that, but the maestro has created 57 chances in the Championship, the most of any Boro player, while he ranks in third place for accurate passes per 90 (53.9).
Hackney, who is represented by the same agent as Calvert-Lewin, is evidently ready to test himself in the top flight, and it is exciting news that Leeds could pursue a move this summer.