Transfer War: Tottenham & Aston Villa Clash for Middlesbrough Sensation After Exit Confirmed
Battle Begins: Tottenham & Aston Villa Fight for Middlesbrough Sensation After Exit Confirmed
Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, and Tottenham are all vying for Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney, sources told Football Insider.
On the latest Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke described the 22-year-old as one of the top midfield talents outside the Premier League.
As interest in his signature intensifies, many believe Hackney is ready to make the leap to the Premier League this summer.
This follows former Aston Villa scout Mick Brown’s revelation to Football Insider that Crystal Palace scouts have been closely monitoring the midfielder ahead of a potential summer move.
Crystal Palace confirmed on March 17 that Dougie Freedman has departed for an overseas role, but his exit is unlikely to disrupt their transfer plans.
Meanwhile, Unai Emery’s side has maintained long-term interest in Hackney, with Paul Robinson revealing to Football Insider back in October that Aston Villa is eyeing a buy-to-loan deal for the Middlesbrough star.
Tottenham Set to Battle Aston Villa and Palace for Midfield Star
Tottenham are in the market for a new midfielder this summer, with Ange Postecoglou reportedly approving Yves Bissouma’s potential exit, former scout Mick Brown told Football Insider.
While Spurs have also shown interest in Lille’s Angel Gomes, they are exploring multiple options for the role—with Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney now emerging as a key target.
However, with Aston Villa and Crystal Palace entering the race, Middlesbrough could push for a higher fee, hoping to ignite a bidding war for Hackney.
Michael Carrick’s side remains focused on securing promotion from the Championship, but after slipping to eighth—three points off the playoff spots—their chances are uncertain.
If they fail to reach the Premier League, their hopes of keeping Hackney will diminish as top-flight interest in the midfielder continues to rise.
Unai Emery Targets Two Major Signings for Aston Villa
After an active January transfer window, Aston Villa are already planning further reinforcements, with Emery keen to bolster his squad ahead of next season.
Villa Push for Permanent Deals as Rashford’s Price Rises
Aston Villa are keen to secure permanent moves for January signings Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio after their impressive starts at Villa Park.
Former Villa scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the club is “certain” to land Asensio for a “bargain” fee at the end of the season.
However, Manchester United have raised Rashford’s asking price following his England call-up, as they seek a substantial fee to address ongoing financial concerns.