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Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney is the subject of rife transfer interest from Premier League clubs and Boro’s Championship rivals, Ipswich Town.
With the Rob Edwards era underway at the Riverside, Middlesbrough finally made their first signing of the summer last week.
Middlesbrough signed Alfie Jones from Hull City on a long-term deal, seeing Boro fans react to Jones’ signing with elation and excitement for more fresh faces to Teesside.
Unfortunately for the new Boro boss, Edwards was dealt a major blow over his “dream signing” as Millwall are set to sign Alfie Doughty from his former employers, Luton Town, ahead of Middlesbrough.
Now, in another blow for Edwards, prized asset Hayden Hackney is said to be “open” to a controversial move, in a transfer update which has angered the Middlesbrough faithful.
Middlesbrough fans turn on Hayden Hackney after Ipswich Town update
After an outstanding campaign in the heart of Boro’s midfield under Michael Carrick, several Premier League clubs are tracking Hackney this summer.
Hackney’s price tag has been mooted, with Boro set to bank a fee of £20m-£25m in pure profit for the homegrown talent, if he is sold to one of the growing list of top flight suitors, with interest also rife from recently relegated Ipswich Town.
EFL Analysis revealed recently that Ipswich have made enquiries to Boro about Hackney, as well as asking about the availability of his teammate, central defender Dael Fry.
Middlesbrough fans laughed off Hackney to Ipswich links earlier this month, but after the latest update about the 23-year-old being “open to the Ipswich move”, that laughter has turned to angst.
Middlesbrough reporter Craig Johns reported via Teesside Live: “Hackney’s preference would be to join a Premier League club this summer.
“However, if no top-flight option presents itself and Boro and Ipswich end up agreeing a fee for the 23-year-old Teessider, he is believed to be open to the Ipswich move.”
In response, one Boro fan said: “If we can’t convince him to stay when his only option is a move to a club in the same division as us then any suggestion of the club having any ambition to get promoted is simply a lie.”
Another said: “Bad move. If he goes to Ipswich, his Boro reputation is over and will be labelled a snake.”
One Boro fan added: “If that is correct, I’m hugely disappointed in both Boro and Hackney.”
“Be disappointed if he goes there,” said one Boro fan, as another added: “If we sell him to Ipswich we’re not a serious club. It’ll be a real turning point for the team and for a lot of fans”.
A sixth Boro fan said: “This summer has been nothing short of a disaster”.
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Hayden Hackney may have better chance of promotion at Ipswich Town
Ipswich, under the tutelage of Kieran McKenna, suffered an instant relegation back down to the Championship last season.
Despite Ipswich losing Liam Delap to Chelsea, and Brentford still trying to sign Omari Hutchinson, the Tractor Boys are primed for a successful season under McKenna in the second tier.
In EFL Analysis’ Championship preview for 2025/26, we have backed Ipswich as favourites for automatic promotion, and that allure could prompt Hackney to leave boyhood club Boro for Ipswich.
After Hackney was absent from Middlesbrough’s friendly against Rangers at the weekend, speculation was sparked among the fanbase as to whether a genuine injury concern or a potential exit this summer kept him out of contention.
Boro fans have not been impressed by the pre-season form in Edwards’ first weeks in charge, or the fact that Middlesbrough have completed only one signing as August approaches.
Those tinges of anger would undoubtedly turn into full-scale uproar at Middlesbrough if the Boro hierarchy allows homegrown talent Hackney to leave for Ipswich this summer.