Middlesbrough eye Leicester City transfer but one huge stumbling block emerges | OneFootball

Middlesbrough are interested in signing Oliver Skipp this summer, but are being put off by a hefty price tag

The news that most associated with Middlesbrough don't want to hear is close to becoming reality, as it seems only a matter of when, not if, when it comes to Hayden Hackney's departure. Now, the focus is on who will replace him.

The reigning Championship Player of the Year has been the subject of intense transfer speculation ever since Boro's play-off final defeat, as the 23-year-old entered the final year of his contract at the Riverside.

Everton have been the frontrunners throughout the summer, and have finally managed to break down a stubborn Middlesbrough, with John Percy of The Telegraph reporting that they're moving closer to signing Hackney for £25 million.

All eyes will now be on how that money will be reinvested to better position Kim Hellberg's side ahead of the Swedish boss' first full term in the dugout.

It's expected that numerous positions will need to be targeted, but the main stress will be to find someone to replace the influential academy product at the heart of their midfield.

Middlesbrough target Oliver Skipp — but are being put off by Leicester City's asking price

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Within the report that Everton are agreeing a £25 million deal for Hackney, John Percy revealed that Middlesbrough are in talks with Leicester City over Oliver Skipp.

However, he does state that Boro are "deterred" by an initial £15 million price tag from the recently relegated League One side for the former Tottenham Hotspur man.

Leicester are still suffering from recent overspending, which saw them docked six points last season en route to relegation. They're one of the most expensive squads to ever be relegated from the second tier, and a mass exodus is expected this summer to help prepare for the new campaign.

One of the more ill-advised arrivals in recent years at the King Power Stadium was Skipp, mainly due to how much Leicester shelled out for his services back in the summer of 2024 as a newly promoted club, in excess of £20 million.

The 25-year-old hasn't exactly made a brilliant impact in his two years with the Foxes, which have both ended in relegation, but there's the expectation that he'll be one of the many players in that current squad who sees his future away from the third tier.

Ultimately, though, given how much Leicester spent on him two years ago, they aren't willing to give him up for next to nothing. After all, Skipp was once highly regarded out of the Tottenham academy, and if he could rediscover that potential, he could easily be worth £20 million once more.

Albeit, a £15 million price tag right now does seem incredibly steep, especially given that the Foxes don't have much of a bargaining stance as a League One club. Understandably, it's putting Middlesbrough off from increasing their interest.

How Middlesbrough fans are reacting to Oliver Skipp interest

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Some Boro fans are actually rather relieved at the fact that their club is being deterred by a hefty asking price from Leicester.

In response to Middlesbrough fan account @Boropolis posting the news on X, fans gathered to give their thoughts.

"I beg we don't sign Skipp. Thank Lord the price tag is stupid," one fan said. "Hahahah £15 million. I wouldn't pay £1.5 million for him," another added, while one joked he'd "rather have a bag of Skips in midfield."

Other fans questioned why they'd be interested in Skipp, rather than Jordan James, who excelled at Leicester alongside the 25-year-old in midfield, winning Young Player of the Season in the Championship, despite the Foxes' struggles.

"Why not go for the other Leicester midfielder who actually looks half decent?" one questioned. "No thanks, splash the cash on Jordan James from Rennes," another said in response.

So, it seems that Boro fans are wholly rejecting the idea of bringing Skipp to the Riverside in response to losing Hackney, no matter the cost.

Evidently, the last two seasons haven't done a lot when it comes to building Skipp's reputation amongst Championship fanbases, especially those of clubs expected to challenge for promotion.