Middlesbrough backed to seal Crystal Palace deal but 'worrying' red flag raised | OneFootball

FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit shares their thoughts on David Ozoh potentially being used as part of a deal for Hayden Hackney

Middlesbrough missing out on a place in the Premier League despite coming ever so close means the Teesside outfit are resigned to losing some of their star assets this summer ahead of another year in the Championship.

Despite their campaign ending in heartbreak, Middlesbrough supporters, on the whole, will be pleased about the campaign they have just endured.

Boro spent the bulk of the campaign in the top two of the Championship, firstly under Rob Edwards and then Kim Hellberg, and only slipped away from automatic promotion contention in the latter stages of the season.

This coincided with the injuries to both Morgan Whittaker and Hayden Hackney, the latter of whom's absence was most evidently felt despite the best efforts of Riley McGree, Aidan Morris, and Alan Browne.

Hackney, 23, has been one of the Championship's standout midfielders for the past couple of years, and now looks destined for a Premier League switch after Boro lost out to Hull City in the play-off final, with Crystal Palace rumoured to be one of numerous clubs interested in a move.

Now, it has emerged that the Eagles are looking to strike up an interesting deal which involves a player who starred at one of their Championship rivals last season, in a move that could be beneficial for everyone involved.

Former Derby County loanee David Ozoh could be used in a deal which sees Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney join Crystal Palace this summer

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David Ozoh has spent the last two seasons on loan with Derby County in the Championship from Crystal Palace, with the newly-pledged Nigerian international having become a firm fan favourite at Pride Park.

This is despite the midfielder having struggled with injuries during his time with the Rams, limiting him to just 47 appearances for the club across the past couple of seasons.

Now, it has been reported by Alan Nixon via Patreon that Palace could use Ozoh as part of a deal that sees the 21-year-old head to the Riverside and Hackney the other way.

Football League World's Middlesbrough fan pundit, Liam Day, has shared their thoughts on Ozoh being used as part of a deal for Hackney, and whether he is a player they would welcome at Boro.

Liam said: "I definitely think he's a quality player, and it would make the Hackney deal a little easier, but you've also got to look at his injury record, and it is a bit worrying.

"He missed quite a few games, and the Championship's a tough league, but I think there's a quality player in there. He's young, clearly got the potential to develop, and if you can get a fee and him on top of it, then it's a good deal for Boro, because you do need some money.

"It'll help us spend, it'll help us improve the squad, especially with the new rules. So, you know, I think it would be a good deal for both clubs, really.

"But, you know, I think you do have to try and look at the negatives as well, and that injury record is a bit worrying. But, I think overall, it's one that Boro should be happy with."

Kim Hellberg must consider David Ozoh as part of Hayden Hackney deal ahead of big transfer decision

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With Boro's fate decided, head coach Hellberg will have a huge decision to make on the future of Hackney this summer.

With just 12 months remaining on his current terms at the Riverside, this is their last chance to cash in on their homegrown talent, with it looking very unlikely that he will sign a fresh deal on Teesside again.

Boro can either choose to try and keep Hackney for another year in a bid to earn promotion to the Premier League, or cash in now, whilst they can and use the fee they get for him to reinvest in other areas of the squad.

In Palace's case, Ozoh looks like he will be part of the deal, and at two years Hackney's junior, the physically imposing midfielder has ample time to improve and develop, and his addition could heavily mitigate the blow of losing their star asset.

Hellberg will have a big say in the matter, and his decision will be a huge one for Middlesbrough.