Aston Villa and Crystal Palace recently sent scouts to monitor Hayden Hackney and Rav van den Berg in the EFL Championship tie between Middlesbrough and Sunderland.
According to a report by Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Hayden Hackney and Rav van den Berg have a market in the Premier League. Aston Villa and Crystal Palace recently dispatched scouts to watch the Middlesbrough stars in Boro’s EFL Championship game against Sunderland at the Riverside Stadium.
Hayden Hackney, Rav van den Berg and their Middlesbrough journeys
Hayden Hackney has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the EFL Championship since breaking into the first-team squad at Middlesbrough. A native of Redcar, the Englishman has been with Middlesbrough since 2011, rising through the ranks before making his senior bow in January 2021.
The 22-year-old has turned out nearly 100 times thus far for Middlesbrough while chipping in with ten goals and eight assists. Meanwhile, Hackney’s teammate Rav van den Berg has been an excellent addition to the first-team squad at the Riverside Stadium since arriving from PEC Zwolle in July 2023.
The 20-year-old has turned out over 50 times thus far for Middlesbrough while chipping in with one goal. Meanwhile, the young defensive-minded pair’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known clubs. Aston Villa and Crystal Palace recently scouted the duo in the EFL Championship game between Middlesbrough and Sunderland.
Premier League move on the horizon?
Aston Villa’s interest in Hayden Hackney and Rav van den Berg is understandable. The Villains have been keen on reinforcing their midfield and defensive units, which they managed in the winter transfer window. However, it is unclear if Axel Disasi will complete a permanent move to the West Midlands club. So, the Middlesbrough players are viable targets for Aston Villa.
As for Crystal Palace, Trevoh Chalobah’s return to Chelsea created the need for a new centre-back in the winter transfer window. Meanwhile, Marc Guehi faces an uncertain future at Selhurst Park. The midfield unit will also need reinforcement, with Jefferson Lerma on the wrong side of 30 and Cheick Doucoure recovering from a long-term injury.
Apart from Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, Brentford and Nottingham Forest also scouted the Middlesbrough prospects in the EFL Championship game against Sunderland. So, it will be interesting to see if both players move to the Premier League in the summer transfer window.
