The latest transfer talk from Leeds United as the Whites begin planning for the summer transfer window.
Leeds United are focusing on their battle to preserve their Premier League status after a strong run of form took them six points clear of the relegation zone - but that has not stopped the Whites planning for the summer transfer window.
There are high hopes Daniel Farke’s side will remain in the top flight and put in place solid foundations to build on when the new season gets underway in August. The Whites have been linked with several players in recent weeks as thoughts turn towards the summer and the latest name on the list is a player considered by many to be amongst the best in the Championship.
Middlesbrough academy graduate Hayden Hackney is said to be attracting attention from several Premier League clubs after establishing himself as a key figure within his side’s push for promotion this season. The all-action midfielder has scored five goals and provided six assists in 34 appearances in all competitions this season and was also part of the England Under-21 squad that were crowned as European champions last summer.
Hackney’s performances have reportedly made the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United pay closer attention to his performances and Nottingham Forest were said to be the first club to make a firm move for the midfielder when they had a bid rejected in the final days of the January. TeamTalk have now claimed Leeds have ‘joined the race’ to sign Hackney - although the report has also stated any move could be jeopardised if Boro secure promotion into the top flight this season.
Kim Hellberg’s side suffered a 3-1 defeat at title rivals Coventry City on Monday night as the Sky Blues replaced them at the top of the table. However, there is no doubt Boro remain one of the favourites to claim promotion after enjoying a successful opening four months under their Swedish head coach. Intriguingly, Hackney’s current contract runs out during the summer of 2027 and TeamTalk claim that could miss this summer will be the last chance Boro have to secure a sizeable fee for their prize asset.
What has Kim Hellberg said about Hayden Hackney’s Middlesbrough future?
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Speaking last month, the Boro boss said: "I like him very much and if I could decide I would say 'not for sale!' But that will not come down to me. But I think he wants to stay here, you can see him being very, very happy and how he works. So hopefully he's with us this year and further on. He is very important, of course. He's a top player and a top person. He is top in every aspect of the game. I think he's defending good, he's good offensively, he's helping his team-mates and I've said that before.
"I think his most impressive thing is how he is as a person because he could be easily, like you start thinking about other things when you get those big clubs that are after you. They should be after him, because he's a top player and I think he would be able to play in a lot of Premier League teams and do well, because that's how good he is. That's how good he is as a person and how good he is as a player. But he's been just staying so focused on everything, just helping everyone. It doesn't matter, he helps absolutely everyone.”
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