Middlesbrough fans will love Rob Edwards’ claim about Hayden Hackney’s future amid Premier League links

Add as preferred source on Google

Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney has a vast array of Premier League suitors for his services, and new Boro boss Rob Edwards has lifted the lid on his pre-season attitude.

After Middlesbrough appointed Rob Edwards earlier this summer in place of Michael Carrick, the first task on his Teesside to-do list comes with the summer transfer window.

Edwards and the recruitment team have been busy in the market so far, with Boro racing to sign Alfie Gilchrist from Chelsea ahead of several Championship rivals, and holding talks with Michael Smith after his Sheffield Wednesday exit.

Unfortunately for Edwards, it appears increasingly likely that the former Luton Town head coach will be without prized asset Hayden Hackney during his debut season in the Riverside dugout, with a plethora of Premier League sides trying to sign the midfielder.

Amid the pre-season preparations, Edwards has now lifted the lid on his “commitment” to Boro, despite it being known for some time that Hackney would likely leave Middlesbrough this summer.

• READ MORE: Middlesbrough’s five most expensive sales including Spanish international and a Europa League champion

Rob Edwards comments on Hayden Hackney’s ‘commitment’ to Middlesbrough

EFL Analysis reported earlier in July that Hackney changed agents ahead of leaving Middlesbrough, with several top flight sides showing interest in the Boro academy graduate.

Recently, Everton joined the race for Hackney, but face stiff competition from fellow Premier League giants, as Manchester United and Tottenham target Hackney.

Hackney cemented himself as one of the best players in the Championship last season, after scoring five goals and registering three assists in 43 starts as his boyhood club failed to finish in the top-six.

With the aforementioned widespread interest in the England youth international’s signature this summer, newly appointed Boro boss Edwards has commented on Hackney’s “commitment”.

Boro fans were not impressed with Edwards after Boro threw a three-goal lead away against Mansfield Town in a pre-season friendly.

After the game, Edwards told the BBC: “As far as I know and I’m aware at the moment, he’s here and that’s why he’s out playing on the pitch,

“He’s fully committed, he loves this football club, and we love him.

“He’s a really good player, I thought he and Aidan (Morris) showed that in the first half.”

EFL Analysis understands that Boro want a £20m fee for Hackney, and those funds would be a sizeable boost for Edwards’ first transfer window in charge on Teesside, despite the angst of losing a supreme talent in the 23-year-old.

• READ MORE: Birmingham City and Middlesbrough should be concerned about Sontje Hansen transfer for two reasons

Rob Edwards must use a Hayden Hackney fee to sign defenders for Middlesbrough

With some sections of the Boro fanbase underwhelmed by Edwards’ appointment, the club must act accordingly in the summer transfer window to bring some optimism to the Riverside.

As well as Hackney, Rav van den Berg could leave Middlesbrough this summer, with interest from the Bundesliga and in the Premier League for the highly-rated central defender.

Edwards’ style of play for Boro has been queried by a Championship expert, with fears over how the current squad can be shaped to suit his three-at-the-back formation.

Therefore, if Hackney does depart for the £20m fee, Edwards must use those funds to prioritise defensive recruits this window, starting with securing Gilchrist’s signing from Stamford Bridge.

Boro’s move for Callum Britain is close, with EFL Analysis’ Chief Football correspondent, Graeme Bailey, revealing that a deal with Blackburn Rovers is “not a million miles away”.

Unfortunately for Edwards, reports indicate that Wrexham could beat Boro to sign Alfie Jones, which would be a major blow as the Hull City defender would seemingly suit Edwards’ system perfectly.

Last season, Boro scored 64 goals whilst conceding 56 overall, showing that improving defensively is the key aim for Edwards this summer, and using the Hackney funds to achieve this would be a compromise the Teesside faithful could accept.