"Would take astronomical offer" - Claim made on Hayden Hackney as Spurs eye Middlesbrough star | OneFootball

FLW has been speaking with our Middlesbrough fan pundit to discuss the possibility of Hayden Hackney leaving the club before the summer deadline.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney has long been reported as having admirers in high places, with Tottenham Hotspur once again being linked with the England youth international.

According to a report from TBR Football, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham, Nottingham Forest and Wolves have all had scouts in attendance to watch Hackney in Boro's opening two Championship fixtures.

Spurs, alongside Manchester United and Liverpool, have all been credited with an interest in Hackney since January, showing how highly thought of he is among the top scouting networks in English football.

A product of Middlesbrough's highly respected academy system, the 22-year-old has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Michael Carrick era so far, having emerged out of the youth ranks and into a leading role in Boro's midfield under Boro's head coach.

But with interest from top clubs only appearing to be growing, is there any chance he leaves Teesside in the closing stages of the transfer window? And is he good enough to make the step-up to the top-end of the Premier League?

Football League World investigates...

Boro fan pundit: "Would take astronomical offer"

FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit, Phil Spencer - Phil Spencer on YouTube - believes that whilst it can't be totally ruled out that Hackney could leave Boro this summer, any such sale would only be green-lit if the club receive a huge offer for the young starlet.

Spencer said: "As much as I'd like to see Hayden Hackney stay at Middlesbrough beyond the end of the summer, I think it would be quite naive to fully rule out the prospect of him leaving the club.

"He's one of Middlesbrough's top talents, and one of the most in-demand talents as well after coming through the academy and really establishing himself as a core player for the club.

"I think as far as Middlesbrough are concerned this summer, I think the idea is to get to the end of the summer transfer window with as little business as possible. I think all the incomings have been done, and they'll be wanting to keep hold of the squad as it is now.

"Such as the level of interest and financial firepower that comes from the Premier League, it's really, really difficult to fully shut up shop. Ultimately, it's money that talks, and money that will decide what will happen with Hackney.

"As far as he's concerned, I think he's a player who's set for a very big season with Middlesbrough. He's someone that Carrick absolutely loves, and will be a central part of Middlesbrough's promotion push this season.

"As far as the club are concerned, they're under no pressure to sell him. We have been able to be quite sustainable over the last couple of years, we've sold a couple of big ticket items like Djed Spence, Marcus Tavernier and Chuba Akpom for a fair bit of money.

"We've also been recruiting quite well, buying players for relatively modest fees and then being able to sell some of them on for a profit. So I think at the moment, we're in quite a strong position where we're not going to need to sell anybody.

"I think that does put us in a strong negotiating position with regards to Hackney, and Middlesbrough's other talented young players as well. I think it would take an astronomical offer for Middlesbrough to consider selling.

"Tottenham are a club who have the firepower to offer such a sum of money, but I also know that Daniel Levy is a very, very tough negotiator, who won't pay over the odds for a player.

"I do think Hackney is someone who will be in the Premier League in the next 12-24 months, whether it's with Middlesbrough or with someone else. I just hope that it's not this summer because he's been looking really good in pre-season, and he's looking bright after an injury-hit season last term."

Hackney will have earnt Premier League move if it arrives

The Redcar-born Hackney has been a revelation under Carrick. A central midfielder who's relaxed, calm presence on the ball is unshakeable, whilst his ability to receive the ball of the centre-backs, get on the half turn and pick a forward pass out has been a central part of Boro's system.

Despite him yet to add an abundance of goals to his game, his stamina combined with his box-to-box ability means the potential for him to score 8-12 goals from central midfield every season is absolutely there.

"I think in terms of whether he's good enough for Tottenham, it's quite difficult to say really," said Spencer.

"I'm always a little bit skeptical of players joining the 'so-called' bigger clubs in the Premier League, just because you don't want them to go and get lost in the system, and end up being backup players, and being sent out on loan here, there, and everywhere.

"I think if that was going to be the case, he'd be better off staying at Middlesbrough where he's going to be a key player. I think if he does make the move to the Premier League, I think he deserves the chance to go and be a first team regular somewhere.

"I'm not entirely sure that would happen at Tottenham if he was to move on this summer. But, fingers crossed he sticks around at Middlesbrough anyway. He should be in for a big season, and hopefully he can be in the Premier League next season regardless with Middlesbrough."