Middlesbrough will no doubt be looking for a strong period in this summer’s transfer window.
Michael Carrick‘s side currently sit 10th in the Championship table, seven points adrift of the play-off places.
So while it is not impossible, it looks highly unlikely they will win promotion to the Premier League this season.
As a result, the window will be all about putting together a squad capable of improving on that in the 2024/25 campaign.
Not only will that involve making the right signings, but also keeping key players who are currently at The Riverside Stadium.
One such player whose services Middlesbrough may have to fight to retain come the summer, is Hayden Hackney.
Interest growing in Hayden Hackney
Having come through the youth ranks at the club, Hackney’s form for ‘Boro is starting to attract attention from elsewhere.
In the lead up to the January window, it was reported that a number of Premier League clubs were keen on a move for the 21-year-old.
One of those to be credited with an interest in the Middlesbrough man, were Nottingham Forest.
Ultimately, no deal would materialise. Even so, if Forest do renew their interest in Hackney come the summer, there is an argument that ‘Boro should be well aware of one player they could demand in a potential swap deal.
Middlesbrough could make Lewis O’Brien deal permanent
One piece of business between these two clubs that was completed this season, came back in the summer window.
That deal saw Lewis O’Brien join Middlesbrough on a season-long loan from Forest. Since then, the 25-yea-old has been hampered by injuries at times during his stay at The Riverside.
Even so, he has still impressed both on and off the pitch. Indeed Carrick has recently hailed O’Brien as a special player for his efforts this season.
It would therefore, seem to make sense for ‘Boro to demand a O’Brien as part of a deal, if Forest renew their interest in Hackney this summer.
Losing Hackney would leave Middlesbrough needing reinforcements in the centre of midfield. Signing O’Brien would help them to address that issue of depth in the centre of the park.
They would also be doing so with a player who is now familiar with the club, and is well proven at this level.
Given he has made just 17 appearances for Forest since joining in 2022, also being loaned out twice, they may also feel they can afford to let him go. Indeed, it could be an appealing deal for them.
It would secure Forest a direct replacement for him in Hackney, and ensure they beat several other clubs to the signing of the Middlesbrough man.
Such a deal could also reduce the price that they have to pay for him, leaving them with more funds free to pursue other signings.
With that in mind, if Forest do make their move for Hackney in the summer, it could be a smart move for Middlesbrough to have O’Brien high on their list of demands.
