Nottingham Forest stance on Hayden Hackney transfer as Middlesbrough face “impossible” situation | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest could be set to reignite their January interest in Hayden Hackney this summer

Middlesbrough’s push for promotion has taken a significant step backwards with recent results.

Kim Hellberg’s side are winless in their last five league fixtures, picking up just three points from the last 15 available.

Their last victory came against QPR on 8 March, and they have slipped out of the automatic promotion places as a result.

The Teesside outfit are still in contention for a top two spot, but will need to turn around their form promptly, or else they’re likely to have to settle for the play-offs.

Boro have not competed in the Premier League since 2017, and their last top six finish came under Michael Carrick in 2023.

The club have five games left to get back into the automatic promotion places, with Ipswich Town ahead in second due to their superior goal difference.

Nottingham Forest tipped to accelerate Hayden Hackney interest

The future of Hayden Hackney at the Riverside could depend on whether Middlesbrough earn promotion this season or not.

Nottingham Forest made a late January window bid to sign the midfielder earlier this year, which was rejected by the Championship side.

Former scout Mick Brown has tipped the Reds to accelerate their interest in the player again this summer, if Boro are unable to earn their place in the top flight, stating they see him as the best midfielder in the Championship.

He believes that it could be almost impossible for the 23-year-old to remain at the Riverside beyond this season if they are still in the Championship, with a move to the City Ground firmly on the cards.

“The Millwall loss was a big blow for Middlesbrough,” said Brown, via Football Insider.

“But if they don’t get promotion to the Premier League, it might be impossible to keep Hackney.

“Nottingham Forest need a midfielder and he’s somebody they were keen on in January, they see him as probably the best midfielder in the Championship.

“So if Middlesbrough are still in the second division next season, he’s going to be keen to make the step up, and Forest would be a good destination for him.

“They’ve got money to spend and they want to improve the squad, so they’ll be keeping a close eye on what happens between now and the end of the season.”

Nottingham Forest are themselves embroiled in a relegation battle under Vitor Pereira, with the team hovering just above the relegation zone.

The Reds are three points clear of 18th place West Ham with just seven games remaining, with Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur also in the mix for the final place in the relegation zone.

Meanwhile, Middlesbrough fell to third on Monday following their 2-2 draw away to Swansea City.

Goals from Alex Bangura and Tommy Conway sealed a point after Hellberg’s side went 2-1 down in Wales.

Hackney has been a crucial player for the Teesside outfit this season, contributing five goals and seven assists from 38 league appearances.

Next up for Boro is a home clash against relegation-threatened Portsmouth on 11 April in a 3pm kick-off.

Hayden Hackney will be in demand this summer

A number of clubs have previously been linked with signing Hackney, and if Middlesbrough aren’t promoted then it’s hard to see him staying.

The midfielder has a contract until 2027, so this summer will be Boro’s last chance to cash in on him before he potentially departs as a free agent.

The club could take a risk on fighting for promotion again next season, and thus being able to offer him top flight football in 2027 that could convince him to sign a new deal.

But the option to play in the Premier League next season will be very tempting, even as a player with such a strong connection to Boro, and he’s likely to catch a major fee that could prove hard to turn down, whether from Forest or from another top flight team.