Middlesbrough want £20million for Tottenham Hotspur target Hayden Hackney | OneFootball

Middlesbrough want £20 million from suitors for Tottenham Hotspur target Hayden Hackney, according to The Times.

The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium club are one of those keen on bringing the 23-year-old to the Premier League this summer.

Spurs have opted against activating the option to sign Bayern Munich star Joao Palhinha permanently for £26m after his impressive loan spell ended.

However, while they are looking to make a fresh move for the 30-year-old and pay less, Hackney is emerging as a contingency plan.

The Boro star was named the Championship Player of the Season following an impressive campaign, and he also cost Southampton the £200m bounty that reaching the Premier League would have brought the Saints.

They were removed from the Championship play-off final after their manager Tonda Eckert sent a junior member of staff to spy on Middlesbrough’s training session to ascertain Hackney’s fitness before the Championship play-off semi-final.

The defensive midfielder bagged five goals and eight assists in 38 league appearances this term, and Spurs could do with his services in the middle of the park.

Everton, Brighton & Hove Albion and Crystal Palace also have the Englishman on their radar, while Sunderland and Nottingham Forest had their interest rebuffed during the winter transfer window.

Hackney is in the final year of his contract and some of his suitors could be willing to wait until next summer when he could be available for free.

Boro risk losing him for nothing if they fail in their promotion bid again next season, and it remains to be seen whether Tottenham or others are willing to spend £20m on him right now.

The Lilywhites will look to make key additions to their squad this summer after almost getting relegated.

Manager Roberto De Zerbi will hope to sign players capable of helping Spurs to challenge for a Champions League spot, and Hackney could be perfect for his midfield.