Nottingham Forest are prepared to move quickly to sign Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackey, according to reports.
The City Ground club will enter their first full season under Vítor Pereira after the ex-Wolves boss secured Premier League survival.
Forest reached the Europa League semi-final but will have no European football next campaign after finishing the season in 16th - five points clear of the bottom three.
Pereira has just 12 months left on the contract he signed when he was appointed at Forest but he at least has the security of planning for the 2026/27 campaign.
Forest are looking to get things done quickly in the transfer market with a move for Hackney on the cards. A number of Premier League clubs have been credited with an interest in the midfielder.
Middlesbrough play-off final defeat gives Nottingham Forest clear run
Hayden Hackney
On Saturday, Boro were beaten 1-0 by Hull City in the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
According to TEAMtalk, the pathway for Forest to sign Hackey is 'considerably clearer' after Middlesbrough failed to achieve promotion.
Hackney has just 12 months left on his contract at the Riverside Stadium and the north east club are likely going to need to cash in as Premier League clubs circle.
However, they will not let the Championship Player of the Year go cheaply, with Boro set to demand £25million from any interested club.
Alex Scott joined Bournemouth from Bristol City in 2023 for £25million, and Middlesbrough feel Hackney should command a similar fee.
A bid has yet to be submitted but Forest are prepared to accelerate talks as they seek to get some early business done.
Several Premier League clubs credited with Hayden Hackney interest
Hayden Hackney applauding the Middlesbrough supporters
Earlier this month, it was reported Newcastle United could make a move for Hackney if Middlesbrough failed to get promoted.
The Magpies risk losing Sandro Tonali this summer and would need to enter the market for a replacement.
Hackney rejected a move to Ipswich Town last summer while Forest had a bid rejected for him in January.
Manchester United and Leeds United have also both been named as interested parties in the 23-year-old.
The midfielder has been dubbed the 'Championship Declan Rice' and all signs point to a Boro exit with a number of Premier League clubs showing interest.
Hackney claimed five goals and six assists in 39 Championship appearances last term. He came through the academy system at Middlesbrough but the pull of the Premier League could be too hard for the boyhood Boro supporter to resist.
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis Related
Nottingham Forest’s Evangelos Marinakis Left With Black Eye in Shocking Public Fight
Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis went viral shortly after the Premier League season ended.