Why Hayden Hackney rejected Nottingham Forest & Ipswich Town transfers to stay at Boro | OneFootball

Hayden Hackney has revealed why he stayed at Middlesbrough amid previous transfer interest from Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest

Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney has been a key figure in Boro's bid to win promotion to the Premier League for the first time since suffering relegation from the top flight in 2017.

Thanks to his strong performances in the Championship, Hackney was subject to transfer interest from Nottingham Forest late in the winter window.

The 23-year-old has been a consistent threat in the second tier this term, and found himself on the scoresheet when Boro thrashed Queens Park Rangers on Sunday.

Middlesbrough are battling to beat the likes of Millwall and Ipswich Town to an automatic promotion spot, while also vying to keep pace with Coventry City in the Championship title race.

Middlesbrough ace Hayden Hackney opens up on transfer interest from Ipswich Town and Nottingham Forest

Before Forest's interest in the midfielder, Ipswich had a £20million agreement in place to sign Hackney back in July, but he opted to stay at Boro.

Speaking to SportBible, the exciting playmaker revealed why he chose to stay at the Riverside Stadium instead of joining either the Tractor Boys or Forest.

Boro boss Kim Hellberg has been left thrilled that Hackney has stayed in the North East, as he was a vital figure in recent wins over the likes of Birmingham City and Norwich City.

Largely thanks to the homegrown star's performances, Middlesbrough are closing in on booking their place in next season's Premier League, having mostly retained their strong form into the business end of the Championship campaign.

Hayden Hackney could have what it takes to make Premier League step-up

Hackney produced a then-career-best return of five goals and three assists in 44 appearances across all competitions last term, a mark he has already surpassed this season, showing he is improving.

If Middlesbrough successfully clinch promotion to the Premier League, they will have to bolster their squad in the summer transfer window to give them a chance of achieving survival.

Sunderland and Leeds United, who both won promotion from the Championship last season, have shown the merits of strong recruitment in the top flight this term, albeit the Whites still have work to do to avoid relegation.

Meanwhile, the performances of players like Black Cats defender Dan Ballard prove that the gap between the Premier League and the second tier can be bridged.

Having regularly shown his class in the Championship over the years, Hackney may be capable of helping Middlesbrough adjust to top-flight football if they successfully win promotion.

Former Boro star Morgan Rogers left the Riverside Stadium in February 2024 and has since proven himself to be one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League, excelling in Aston Villa colours.

Rogers' Villa exploits demonstrate that there is a blueprint for the likes of Hackney to go on and perform at the highest level.

The 23-year-old is a dangerous player in the final third, while his tenacity also makes him a real asset in the midfield battle for Middlesbrough, and there are several strings to his bow, suggesting he could perform in the Premier League.