West Ham have already shortlisted the perfect replacement for top midfielder Mateus Fernandes.
Fernandes is likely to leave the club this summer amid interest from Liverpool and Manchester United.
His departure should prompt West Ham to return for a Championship player they have targeted for two years.
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Malick Diouf playing for West Ham against Newcastle United. Mateus Fernandes playing for West Ham against Tottenham.
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West Ham should rekindle Hayden Hackney interest if Mateus Fernandes leaves
Fernandes has performed so well in claret and blue that he was even called up to the senior Portugal team last month.
Liverpool have now joined Man Utd in the race to sign him from just one year after he moved to West Ham from Southampton.
Unfortunately, with England’s two biggest clubs eyeing him up, it appears that Fernandes’ spell in East London will be short.
West Ham would be wise to start preparing for his exit, with Championship star Hayden Hackney the ideal replacement.
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Hackney has played 38 of Middlesbrough’s 41 league games this season, providing five goals and eight assists.
Middlesbrough v Charlton Athletic - Sky Bet Championship
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The 23-year-old is clearly Boro’s best player and a key reason they are in the hunt for the automatic promotion places.
Regardless of Middlesbrough’s finishing position, Hackney will be in consideration for the Championship Player of the Season.
He has all the traits of a great midfielder, from vision, passing and dribbling to stamina and work rate without the ball.
These qualities are exactly why the Hammers have reportedly tried to sign Hackney in each of the last two summer transfer windows.
Even though he is not Premier League proven, he would be one of the signings of the summer if West Ham can finally pull it off.
Assuming Fernandes leaves for a transfer fee upwards of £50 million, they will certainly have the funds.
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