Newcastle United are ready to challenge Tottenham Hotspur in their pursuit of one of the most talented Championship midfield stars.
Spurs have had success with their recruits from the English football second-tier over recent years.
They picked up Djed Spence after his breakthrough season at Nottingham Forest in the Championship, and he has now become a key first-team player, while there are also huge expectations on Archie Gray at Tottenham.
According to reports, Spurs are now considering raiding Middlesbrough for Hayden Hackney, who has been one of the most consistent midfielders across the Championship over recent years.
Last week, Spurs Web relayed a report stating that Newcastle may be ready to challenge Spurs for Hackney’s signature.
Former Man United and Sunderland chief scout, Mick Brown, has now confirmed that the 23-year-old is indeed on the Magpies’ radar, but explained that the player is not completely convinced regarding a move to St James’ Park.
Brown told Football Insider: “Hackney is a top player and he’s somebody I rate very highly. It’s no surprise there is interest in him. I’m told a lot of clubs have been keeping tabs on him, and it seems Newcastle are now one of those clubs.
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“If Hackney was at Newcastle tomorrow, I don’t think he’d get into their midfield, because the options they’ve got in there at the moment are pretty much fixed. But he is the sort of player they would love to have who can come into the team when needed. Howe has been a bit concerned about the players they’ve got behind those three in there.
“He’s a very talented player with plenty of room to grow and develop, so he could go into that Newcastle squad with a view to becoming a key player in the future. With the three they’ve got in midfield at the moment, he would be going in there to provide depth, and whether that’s what he will be interested in, I’m not sure. But it’s definitely something that would make sense for Newcastle.”
Why Spurs may struggle to land Hackney in January
The North London club’s interest in the Boro man is not new. In fact, it was reported in the summer window that Spurs were eyeing a £25m move for Hackney, which never materialised.
The midfielder’s current deal at the Riverside Stadium runs out in 2027, which means that a January sale could be on the cards.
However, Boro currently sit second in the Championship, and it remains to be seen if they will be willing to sell their star man when they are in the midst of a promotion push.