Hayden Hackney had been linked with Premier League team Wolverhampton Wanderers as recently as this summer, but a transfer between the two clubs now appears improbable following Rob Edwards’ move from Boro to the Black Country outfit.
This season, Middlesbrough has experienced a combination of emotions.
Boro had looked good value for a position in the top six this season, having won each of their first four league matches. They are presently third after 17 games, trailing only Stoke City and Coventry City.
However, the controversial departure of former head coach Rob Edwards, who only moved to Teesside this summer, has not gone down well with Boro fans, particularly chairman Steve Gibson.
Edwards made it obvious to Middlesbrough that he intended to move to Wolves whenever the job became vacant, and the Premier League club expressed an interest in him, despite the Welshman having made 111 appearances for the club in all competitions during his playing career.
Boro did not plan for the 42-year-old’s departure, leaving them scrambling for a successor, with Adi Viveash taking command of Boro’s last three games against Birmingham City, Oxford United, and Coventry City.
Middlesbrough have since appointed Swedish head coach Kim Hellberg to replace Edwards, beating Swansea City to the job, and as the January window approaches, chairman Gibson has issued a ‘hands off’ warning to Edwards and Wolves regarding any of their players, including star midfielder Hayden Hackney.
The Wolves’ appointment of Rob Edwards has made a move for Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney nearly impossible.
Following Edwards’ departure to Wolves, Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson quickly informed the Welshman that any inquiries regarding the availability of any Boro players would receive a’short shrift’ response, according to Molineux News.
This will be disappointing news for Wolves, who had expressed an interest in Hackney as recently as this summer, and any deal for the England Under-21 international now appears to be nearly impossible, with Gibson refusing to do business with Edwards.
This, however, will be good news for Boro fans, since Hackney progressed through the club’s academy system to become one of Middlesbrough’s most prized assets and key players.
Hackney was close to leaving The Riverside this summer, with division rivals Ipswich Town agreeing a deal worth a reported £20 million for the 23-year-old, but he turned it down, stating that he’d only want to leave Middlesbrough if it was to a Premier League club, according to Pete O’Rourke.
Everton, Crystal Palace, and West Ham have all expressed interest in the midfielder, but he will ultimately stay at Middlesbrough after the summer deadline, and he has been a major cause for the club’s current automatic promotion battle.
Middlesbrough’s retention of Hayden Hackney in January will be important to their promotion chances.
So far this season, Hackney has started all 17 Championship games for Middlesbrough, creating a great relationship with USMNT member Aidan Morris.
Hackney, a frequent member of England’s Under-21 squad in recent years, has three goals and three assists this season, contributing significantly to Boro’s early season success.
At this point, Hackney has long been the subject of interest from a variety of clubs, but Middlesbrough has remained steadfast in their commitment to keeping him.
If they continue to strive for promotion this season, it is critical that they retain Hackney’s services beyond the January transfer window, with interest in the Englishman nearly a given.
Hackney’s contract is set to expire in the summer of 2027, and if he fails to achieve promotion with his boyhood club this season, Boro may be forced to sell him during the next summer window rather than risk losing him for nothing.
Wolves’ poor form in the top tier has made them an even less appealing option for Hackney, and with Gibson hesitant to do business with the club, a move to Molineux in January or later appears doubtful.
Hackney’s potential move to Wolves will be a great boost for Middlesbrough and their fans, who will be hoping for Premier League football to return to Teesside next season with Hackney in the midfield.
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