Premier League clubs on notice for Boro transfer as promotion hopes stutter

Hackney, who is favourite to win the Championship Player of the Year award after his nomination this week, has been scouted throughout the season by a number of top flight clubs.

While the Teessider rejected the opportunity to join Championship rivals Ipswich Town last summer, he will be almost certain to leave Boro this summer if the club don’t realise his dream of winning promotion to the Premier League.

With just 12 months left on his Boro contract and unlikely to sign a new deal without promotion, as he looks to progress his career to the next level, Boro will be in a position where the summer transfer window will be the last chance to earn serious money from his exit.

A number of Premier League clubs will likely be interested should Boro remain in the Championship next season, with many club officials no doubt on alert and watching Boro’s end-of-season results with interest as they start to plan for next season.

As well as Ipswich’s move last summer, one Premier League club who’ve already made an official approach is Nottingham Forest. Their bid in the final days of the January transfer window was rejected by Boro, who wished to keep their star man to try and lead them to promotion - a feat which is stuttering after a run of five games without a win.

Providing they avoid relegation, Forest are likely to remain interested, but the likes of Crystal Palace, Newcastle United, Tottenham and Manchester United (who look increasingly likely to keep former Boro boss Michael Carrick in charge next term) have also been credited with interest.

Speaking to Football Insider, former Premier League scout and recruitment expert Mick Brown said: “The Millwall loss was a big blow for Middlesbrough. If they don’t get promotion to the Premier League, it might be impossible to keep Hackney.

“Nottingham Forest need a midfielder and he’s somebody they were keen on in January, they see him as probably the best midfielder in the Championship.

“So if Middlesbrough are still in the second division next season, he’s going to be keen to make the step up, and Forest would be a good destination for him.

“They’ve got money to spend and they want to improve the squad, so they’ll be keeping a close eye on what happens between now and the end of the season.”

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