Middlesbrough must replace Hackney with star that shone for Leicester City - Not Oliver Skipp | OneFootball

Middlesbrough have been credited with interest in Oliver Skipp, but perhaps they should be looking at one of his teammates from last season

Middlesbrough's midfield transfer targets have certainly raised some eyebrows amongst the Boro fanbase, as the quest to replace Hayden Hackney looks to begin shortly.

The reigning Championship Player of the Year has been the subject of transfer talk ever since Kim Hellberg's side were beaten in the play-off final by Hull City in late May.

Boro have been stubborn in the valuation of their academy star, but it looks like they've finally agreed a £25 million fee with Everton for his services, per a report from The Telegraph's John Percy.

Rather strangely enough, that same report stated that Middlesbrough have held talks with Leicester City over a move for Oliver Skipp, for which the Foxes have demanded a whopping £15 million for his services, two years after he cost them £20 million as a Premier League club.

There have been some concerns raised about that report. Firstly, that an albeit recently-relegated League One club can demand such a fee for their players who have contributed to the dire situation they find themselves in, but also that Middlesbrough are interested in Skipp at all.

The 25-year-old didn't do much to stop the Foxes from suffering consecutive relegations, playing 34 times and scoring once at the King Power Stadium this past season, so questions are understandably being asked about how much he'd contribute to a side wanting to win promotion.

Middlesbrough should target Jordan James to replace Hayden Hackney

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Maybe Middlesbrough don't need to look too far away from that recently relegated Leicester side for a new midfielder, though; they should just target Skipp's engine room companion in that squad, Jordan James.

James has had an incredible first year back in the EFL, after the Birmingham City academy product was sold to Ligue 1 side Rennes following the Blues' relegation from the second tier in the 2023/24 term.

The 21-year-old found himself back in the Championship this past season, signing on loan for Leicester with an option to buy at the end of the campaign.

Ultimately, no one expected the Foxes to have the campaign that they had, but despite all the financial issues and on-field struggles that took centre stage at the King Power, James still carved out a brilliant year.

The attacking midfielder ended the year with 11 goals, four assists and a Young Player of the Year award, too. Arguably, the fact that injuries meant he started just four times after a 1-1 draw with Wrexham on January 20 was a massive contributor to Leicester's relegation.

Understandably, that buy option, reported to be around €8 million, hasn't materialised due to the relegation, and while Rennes may be open to integrating him back into their side after a strong campaign back in the Championship, the Welsh international could see his future remain in the EFL.

He showed last season that he's one of, if not the best, young stars in the second tier, and would be well-equipped to help a side en route to earning promotion, which Middlesbrough will be targeting next year.

Middlesbrough's promotion hopes would increase with Jordan James arrival

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Losing Hackney would be a massive blow for Middlesbrough, but it's been an inevitability that a Premier League move would be in the 23-year-old's near future. A lot of the focus has been on replacing him, and James would be the perfect man to fill that gap.

The Rennes midfielder has shown in his last two seasons at the level that he can be a brilliant chance-creating defensive midfielder at Birmingham, and then a good goal-getter from a more advanced role at Leicester.

Additionally, his goalscoring was efficient this past season. His 11 goals this past season came from just 4.62 expected goals and from 20 shots on target, per Fotmob.

For a Boro side who were criticised for being wasteful in key moments, having a 10-goal-a-season midfielder would be key for Kim Hellberg heading into his first full campaign at the helm.

Skipp doesn't provide those qualities, nor is he a midfielder who will get people off their seats with excitement, whereas James is. Plus, he has the potential to improve even further and become a Premier League-level asset.

If the Welshman does find himself back in the Championship this summer, Middlesbrough need to make sure it's with them.