Hayden Hackney: Middlesbrough Set £30m Valuation Amid Man Utd, Tottenham Links

Key Points

• Hayden Hackney, the 23-year-old Middlesbrough midfielder, continues to impress in the Championship with dominant displays, attracting interest from Premier League clubs.
• Middlesbrough have set a £30 million valuation on Hackney and are determined to retain him for their promotion push, rejecting any pressure to sell during the January 2026 transfer window.
• Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are monitoring Hackney, with United viewing a potential reunion under manager Michael Carrick, who previously coached him at Middlesbrough.
• Hackney has featured in 141 first-team games for Middlesbrough since 2019, scoring 14 goals and providing 15 assists; he flourished under Carrick, playing 104 times with notable goal contributions.​
• Middlesbrough sit second in the Championship with 46 points from 26 games under manager Kim Hellberg, six points behind leaders, prioritising key players amid transfer activity.​
• Past interest includes Ipswich Town in summer 2025 (£20m deal agreed but Hackney declined), Fulham, and others; Middlesbrough sold Emmanuel Latte Lath for a record £22.5m last year.​
• A summer move is more likely if promotion fails, as the club accepts potential sale post-season; Hackney, from Redcar, joined Middlesbrough in 2011 and had a loan at Scunthorpe United.​
• Sources indicate Tottenham may lead interest, with scouts impressed; no bids yet, but valuation deters January action.

Middlesbrough (Yorkshire Post) January 16, 2026 – Hayden Hackney, Middlesbrough’s standout 23-year-old midfielder, faces a £30 million valuation amid strong interest from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, as reported across multiple outlets during the January transfer window. The Championship promotion chasers are resolute in keeping the former England youth international to bolster their top-two push, having rebuffed previous advances. TEAMtalk sources highlight that Premier League suitors must meet this hefty price tag to lure him away from the Riverside Stadium before the season concludes.

Who is Hayden Hackney and What Makes Him Stand Out?

Hayden Hackney, born in Redcar, has risen through Middlesbrough’s ranks since joining the club in 2011 at age nine, signing his first professional contract on his 17th birthday in 2019. After a loan spell at Scunthorpe United in League Two during 2021/22, he became a regular first-team player, amassing 141 appearances, 14 goals, and 15 assists across all competitions. As noted by Tom Coates of the Yorkshire Post, the 23-year-old is “going from strength to strength in the Championship, winning more and more admirers with his dominant midfield displays.”​

This season, Hackney has contributed three goals and six assists in 26 appearances, underpinning Middlesbrough’s second-place standing with 46 points from 26 games. His all-action style and leadership in midfield have positioned him as a key figure in the promotion race under Swedish manager Kim Hellberg, who took over in mid-November 2025 and has won five of his first 10 matches.

What is Middlesbrough’s Stance on a Potential Transfer?

Middlesbrough are demanding £30 million for Hackney, a figure exceeding last year’s club-record £22.5 million sale of striker Emmanuel Latte Lath, according to TEAMtalk as cited by The72. The Teesside club, managed by Hellberg following Rob Edwards’ strong start, prioritise retaining star players during their promotion bid, sitting six points behind Championship leaders. TEAMtalk reports that Middlesbrough “are determined to have Hackney lead their promotion push and have slapped a £30m price tag to his name,” showing no intent to yield to pressure in January.

Club officials accept a departure may occur in summer 2026 if promotion eludes them, but current focus remains on Premier League football at the Riverside. As per TransferFeed aggregating TEAMtalk, “Middlesbrough have a £30 million valuation on Hackney and are resolved not to be pressured into selling him during this month’s transfer window.”

Which Clubs Are Interested in Signing Hayden Hackney?

Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur lead the interest in Hackney, with both Premier League giants having scouted him extensively. ESPN reports that “Manchester United and Tottenham are among the Premier League clubs monitoring Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney,” valuing him as a long-term midfield option. A move to Old Trafford would reunite Hackney with Michael Carrick, his former Middlesbrough boss under whom he played 104 times, as highlighted by the Yorkshire Post and TEAMtalk.

Tottenham’s pursuit is noted by GiveMeSport and TransferFeed, with former Spurs scout Mick Brown telling Football Insider that “Tottenham have been watching the player” and could move ahead of rivals. Past suitors include Ipswich Town, who agreed £20 million with Middlesbrough in summer 2025 but saw Hackney reject the move, alongside Fulham, per The Hard Tackle. Sources indicate Spurs may hold an edge, potentially firming up interest in 2026.

Why is a Reunion with Michael Carrick Appealing at Manchester United?

Michael Carrick, now Manchester United manager, oversaw Hackney’s breakthrough, with the midfielder thriving under his guidance. Statistics from The72 detail Hackney’s output under Carrick: 32 appearances and 6 goal contributions in 2022/23; 28 appearances and 4 in 2023/24; 44 appearances and 8 in 2024/25. TEAMtalk, as relayed by TransferFeed, states Carrick “continues to be a huge admirer” and is “keen on a reunion at Manchester United.”

Yahoo Sports notes United see Hackney as “a viable long-term midfield candidate, especially if they decide to offload fringe players later in the year.” ESPN confirms Hackney and Nottingham Forest’s Murillo are on Carrick’s shortlist, amid Harry Maguire’s potential exit. Despite £30 million valuation and United’s finances, a summer transfer appears plausible.

What Have Hackney’s Performances Been Like This Season?

Hackney’s Championship form remains pivotal, with three goals and six assists in 26 outings fuelling Middlesbrough’s promotion charge. The72 emphasises his role as a “star man,” integral to Hellberg’s side that has maintained momentum post-Edwards. His dominant displays have drawn “significant Premier League interest,” per TEAMtalk via multiple outlets.

Beyond stats, Hackney’s boyhood club loyalty and rejection of Ipswich underscore ambition for top-flight football on Middlesbrough’s terms. Observers predict “Premier League surely next,” given consistent scouting from elite clubs over two years.

When Might a Transfer Happen for Hayden Hackney?

January 2026 appears unlikely due to Middlesbrough’s firm stance and valuation, with TransferFeed citing TEAMtalk: “the club is reluctant to sell and does not believe anyone will meet his valuation in this window.” Summer 2026 looms as the realistic window if promotion falters, aligning with past patterns like Latte Lath’s sale. The72 notes “with a hefty price tag in place, Hackney might not make such a move just yet.”

Tottenham sources suggest monitoring persists, potentially accelerating post-Champions League qualification appeal. Middlesbrough’s second-place position under Hellberg heightens resolve to delay any exit.

How Does Hackney Fit into Tottenham’s Midfield Plans?

Tottenham view Hackney as midfield reinforcement, per GiveMeSport’s report on £30 million-rated target post-Gallagher links. Mick Brown, ex-Spurs scout, informed Football Insider: “he expects they have been impressed by his performances and that they could be the ones to make a move.” BBC Sport gossiped Spurs “lead race for Hackney” in 2025, with ongoing surveillance noted by TransferFeed.

A £20-25 million fee was speculated earlier, though current £30 million stands firm; Hackney’s agency change signals top-flight intent. The Sun highlighted Spurs’ interest amid managerial flux, eyeing U21 Euros performances.​

What is the Broader Context of Middlesbrough’s Promotion Push?

Middlesbrough’s second-place slot with 46 points from 26 games reflects stability under Hellberg, who succeeded Edwards in November 2025. Retaining Hackney aligns with avoiding last January’s Latte Lath exit, ensuring squad strength for automatic promotion. The72 stresses “deals may be sanctioned that can make or break a team’s campaign,” positioning Hackney centrally.​

Hackney’s starring role offers “every chance he could play Premier League football at the Riverside next term,” per Yorkshire Post. Failure to promote may force sales, echoing Ipswich’s prior £20 million bid rejection by the player.