Tottenham Hotspur head coach Thomas Frank could still end up winning the race to recruit Hayden Hackney as the Middlesbrough star is tempted to snub the chance to join Ipswich Town in case he is handed an opportunity to head to Hotspur Way in the coming weeks, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Spurs have not been afraid to splash the cash as preparations are made for a season which will include Champions League action, resulting in Mohammed Kudus completing a £55million switch from rivals West Ham United as they went in search of more creativity in the final third of the pitch.
Although Tottenham were unable to land Morgan Gibbs-White, with the attacking midfielder choosing to pen a club-record contract at Nottingham Forest instead of heading to north London earlier this month, chairman Daniel Levy has given Frank the opportunity to make further alterations to the squad he inherited from predecessor Ange Postecoglou.
Hackney Tempted to Hold Out for Spurs Move
Midfielder has been given green light to hold talks with another side
Hackney is considering waiting for a move to Tottenham despite Middlesbrough accepting an offer from Championship counterparts Ipswich, according to GMS sources, as last season's Europa League winners have continued showing interest and have given indications that they may be prepared to strike a deal.
The Tractor Boys have edged towards fighting off stiff competition for the central midfielder's services as they have been given the green light to discuss personal terms after submitting a £20million bid this week, but it is not guaranteed that he will take advantage of the chance to head to Portman Road.
GMS sources have been informed that Hackney is weighing up his options after his performances during the 2024/25 campaign resulted in Tottenham and fellow Premier League heavyweights Manchester United circling, while he has acknowledged that he is preparing to make a pivotal decision which could define his career.
The European Championships-winning England under-21 international is on course to leave his boyhood club ahead of the new season and, having been described as 'hugely talented' by former Boro boss Michael Carrick, he is tempted to challenge himself in the Premier League if the opportunity arises.
Tottenham have remained in contention to land Hackney as he has doubts over whether heading to Ipswich is the right option, GMS sources have learned, and he is refusing to rush into signing on the dotted line even though Middlesbrough have given him permission to embark on a fresh challenge in Suffolk.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Hayden Hackney boasted 100 per cent pass accuracy and grabbed an assist after coming on as a substitute when the England under-21 side beat Germany in the European Championships final last month
Hackney Wants Assurances Over Game Time
England under-21 international not interested in being squad player
GMS sources have been told that Hackney is determined to be more than a squad player when he walks away from Middlesbrough, meaning that Frank will have to give assurances over the amount of game time he can expect to secure at Tottenham if he rejects a move to Ipswich.
The 23-year-old has also been wanted overseas, with his current employers turning down a £10million proposal from Porto when the Portuguese giants aimed to recruit him midway through last season, leading to him being desperate to make the right choice when he pinpoints his preferred destination.
Hackney is vying to be central to his next side's plans and is aware that he would be among the first names on the team sheet at Ipswich, GMS sources understand, but he also has a strong desire to maintain an upward momentum in his career and is eager to prove his ambition at the top level.
Tottenham and Manchester United are not the only clubs to have been keen on handing the former Scunthorpe United loanee a route into the Premier League as GMS sources recently revealed that Everton entered the race for his signature after chief David Moyes has been seeking fresh competition in the middle of the park.
All statistics courtesy of Sofascore - correct as of 31/07/2025