Newcastle could now raid local rivals for ‘fearless’ 20-year-old this summer

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Newcastle United have set their eyes on promising youngster Hayden Hackney of Middlesbrough.

A report in 90mins says that Middlesbrough are bracing themselves for an influx of Premier League offers for their 20-year-old star Hayden Hackney after he had an impressive debut season for Boro.

Central midfielder, Hayden rose through the Middlesbrough academy and after a few loan spells was finally given a proper shot at the first team by Michael Carrick which he has seemingly grasped with both hands.

Five Premier League clubs including Newcastle are looking at Hackney

Now it seems like his performances have caught the eye of several top flight clubs who may test Boro’s resolve this summer after they missed out on promotion to the Premier League by the narrowest of margins in the play-offs against Coventry.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Leicester along with Newcastle have all expressed interest in Hackney, and with Middlesbrough’s finances taking a hit due to missing out on the Premier League, they may not be in a position to turn down a decent offer.

Newcastle’s Sporting Director, Dan Ashworth is on a mission to recruit the best and brightest young players to build into the next generation of Newcastle stars and Hackney would be a fine addition to that roster which includes the likes of Harrison Ashby and Garang Kuol.

Hackney’s energy makes him an ideal candidate for Dan Ashworth’s army

This season, Scottish U21 international Hackney has made 44 appearances across all competitions for Middlesbrough, including the Premier League 2. He’s managed four goals and six assists for the club.

Despite his recent call-up to Scotland, Hackney faces the same dilemma as Newcastle’s Elliot Anderson in that he his now being courted to switch allegiances to England.

The Gazette picked him out as Middlesbrough’s young player of the season calling him ‘fearless’ saying that he makes the team tick. They made a particular mention of his energy which will be music to Dan Ashworth’s ears given Newcastle’s focus on intensity and high energy pressing.

If Newcastle were to go in for Redcar-born Hackney they could find themselves favourites by virtue of location. The youngster wouldn’t have to up sticks and move far, if at all. However, making that jump to a Premier League club would likely mean less first-team action for him which could mean he’d prefer to stay put at the club he joined at under-10 level.