Crystal Palace will reportedly compete with Aston Villa to sign 22-year-old English midfielder Hayden Hackney from EFL Championship club Middlesbrough this summer.
According to a report by Graeme Bailey on TBR Football, Hayden Hackney is the subject of interest from Crystal Palace. The Eagles are scouring the market for a midfielder heading into the summer transfer window amid uncertainties surrounding Will Hughes’s future. However, the South London outfit will face stiff competition from Aston Villa for the Middlesbrough midfielder, with the EFL Championship club demanding £20 million to part ways with him.
Hayden Hackney and his career so far
Hayden Hackney has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the EFL Championship since breaking into the first-team squad at Middlesbrough FC. A native of Redcar, the Englishman is eligible to represent England and Scotland, and he has turned out for both nations in age-group football.
The 22-year-old made his first-team bow for Middlesbrough in January 2021. However, the youngster had to wait until the 2022/23 season to enjoy his breakthrough at the Championship club. Hackney has turned out over 100 times thus far for Boro while chipping in with ten goals and eight assists.
Meanwhile, Hackney’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several well-known Premier League clubs. Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are among the prospective suitors vying for the English midfield prospect’s signature heading into the summer transfer window.
Premier League move on the horizon?
Hayden Hackney has been on Aston Villa’s radar for a long time. The continued interest from the West Midlands outfit is understandable, considering Boubacar Kamara has struggled with a few fitness issues. In addition, Amadou Onana and Ross Barkley have spent spells on the sidelines. So, Hackney is an option worth considering for Aston Villa.
As for Crystal Palace, Will Hughes faces an uncertain future at Selhurst Park. The experienced midfielder has entered the final six months of his contract, and he might leave the South London club as a free agent in July. So, Hackney has emerged as a viable target for Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, Middlesbrough will demand around £20 million to part ways with the Englishman.
Aston Villa and Crystal Palace should have the funds to afford a deal worth £20 million for the 22-year-old English midfielder. However, Hackney is not the only Middlesbrough star on Crystal Palace’s radar, with the Eagles also keen on signing Rav van den Berg. As for Hackney, a move to the Premier League will likely see the light of day, with Middlesbrough struggling in the bid to finish in the top six of the EFL Championship.
