Newcastle United have been monitoring Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney for some time.
The England Under-21 international, who won the European Championship last summer alongside Tino Livramento, is attracting growing interest as he approaches the final year of his contract. With that situation developing, a battle for his signature looks likely.
Boro are pushing for promotion and may hope a place in the Premier League would persuade the 23-year-old to remain at the Riverside. However, Newcastle and Manchester United are both believed to be circling. Should Michael Carrick secure the United job permanently after his strong spell as interim boss, his previous connection with Hackney could prove influential.
Current Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg has openly acknowledged how tough it will be to keep the midfielder, admitting in a recent interview that Hackney is “too good” for the Championship side. Hellberg praised not only his technical quality but also his attitude, describing him as a model professional who works tirelessly, supports younger players, and leads by example on and off the pitch.
Newcastle are known to be searching for a dynamic young midfielder. With a move for AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit looking unlikely, Hackney could emerge as a strong alternative.
Promotion would strengthen Middlesbrough’s negotiating position and likely increase their asking price, but with Hackney entering the final year of his deal, any fee is still expected to be manageable for Newcastle — especially after a quiet January window that preserved funds for the summer.
Manchester United, though, could be serious competition, particularly if Carrick takes charge. On the other hand, a move to Newcastle would allow Hackney to stay in the North East, which may also factor into his decision.
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