Why Hayden Hackney may want to stay at Middlesbrough and snub West Ham and Everton | OneFootball

Hayden Hackney snubbed Ipswich Town earlier in the window, and may do the same to Premier League sides Everton and West Ham United.

Hayden Hackney has been the subject of plenty of transfer talk this summer, and rightly so, as the 23-year-old is one of the brightest stars in the Championship.

Last season, the central midfielder established himself as one of the more well-rounded midfielders in the second tier, and he's starting to replicate that in the infancy of the ongoing campaign, registering a goal and an assist through three games.

Loose Manchester United links followed a Championship-record £20 million being accepted by Boro from Ipswich Town, a deal which Hackney himself snubbed.

Now, Premier League duo West Ham United and Everton have registered their interest, although reports state that the aforementioned Ipswich deal is the only one to be officially tabled.

It's evident that Hackney has the quality to play in the Premier League, but after rejecting a move to Ipswich, there's a chance he could also reject both the Hammers and the Toffees.

Here are a few reasons why.

Hayden Hackney is a local lad - he's been at Middlesbrough since he was a boy

Hackney was born in the seaside town of Redcar, a mere eight miles away from Middlesbrough.

He was scouted by Boro in 2011 and joined his boyhood side at Under-10 level, and has moved up through the academy system at the Riverside to where he is today.

Loyalty may be something that doesn't get relied on too much in the modern age, but having been brought up in the area and become used to his surroundings, perhaps a move elsewhere isn't something that interests the 23-year-old at all.

The Premier League is where he naturally wants to be, but the possibility of doing that with his beloved Middlesbrough may continue to keep him on Teesside.

Hackney is a top player at Middlesbrough, and there's more competition among Premier League sides

If Hackney prioritises game-time, then remaining at Middlesbrough, where he started 43 Championship games last season, and has played every league minute so far this term too, is a clever option.

Whilst Hackney could make that step up, both Everton and West Ham have solid options in midfield who provide more competition than he would have at Middlesbrough this season.

Especially with Everton, who have already spent money to bring in Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall this summer, who plays the same position next to the exciting 22-year-old, Tom Iroegbunam.

Hayden Hackney could get relegated at West Ham United

Competition for places at West Ham will be less hotly contested, as the club were happy to see James Ward-Prowse depart on loan last season, meaning if Hackney did arrive, he'd easily slot into that role.

But the 23-year-old may see that switch as an incredibly unattractive move, as through two games, West Ham have been among the worst-performing sides in the Premier League.

The Hammers lost 3-0 to newly-promoted Sunderland, before being thumped 5-1 by Chelsea in their opening home game, with many fans and neutrals alike now forecasting a tough season ahead for the Irons.

The atmosphere currently at the London Stadium is rather negative, and there'd be plenty of pressure on Hackney to come and help contribute to the side hopefully getting out of that rut.

Therefore, a move out of the Championship to West Ham could easily see him back in the second tier in a year's time, which would be even more frustrating, especially if Boro do finally end their top-flight exile this term.

Whilst it's only been three games into the new season, Middlesbrough are among the early pace-setters, having won all three in the new Championship campaign.

A season in which Hackney has played an important part thus far, and looks set to continue being one of the most important and influential players in his position should he remain in the second tier.

It's clear that, despite the perceived transfer rumours, Rob Edwards has Hackney down as an incredibly important player, having completed all 90 minutes in each of their wins over Swansea City, Millwall and Norwich City - three incredibly tough opponents.

The season is still young, and there's still a long way to go, but if Boro can keep this form up for a couple more months, then they'll start to legitimise their claims for a Premier League return for the first time since the 2016/17 season.

If Hackney can contribute to that, as a player coming through the Middlesbrough academy, he'll be heralded as a hero, whilst also relishing the opportunity to play in the top-flight with his current club.