Oliver Skipp to Middlesbrough transfer truth is still 'very concerning' | OneFootball

Middlesbrough's search for their Hayden Hackney replacement is set to commence shortly, but Oliver Skipp will not be that replacement

Middlesbrough's search for a Hayden Hackney replacement is set to commence shortly after Boro agreed a deal with Everton for last season's Championship Player of the Year.

The 23-year-old Middlesbrough academy graduate was integral to Kim Hellberg's high-intensity, exciting brand of football that wowed Championship fans in part last season, and his untimely injury coincided with their slide down from the automatic promotion places and into the play-offs.

Ever since Boro lost the play-off final against Hull City, and it was known that Hackney would be entering the final year of his deal, a sale seemed inevitable, as the Riverside-based side looked to ensure that their most saleable asset wouldn't leave for nothing this time next year.

Indeed, it's Everton who are set to land him in a deal worth up to £25 million, as reported by the Telegraph on Monday, but that same report detailed that Boro was holding talks with recently relegated League One side Leicester City over the signing of Oliver Skipp.

With Skipp being solid, but not remarkable, during the Foxes' consecutive relegations from the top flight into the third tier after arriving at the King Power Stadium two years ago for a fee in excess of £20 million, it was slightly alarming to see him linked in response to a deal being agreed for Hackney.

Middlesbrough sheds light on Oliver Skipp links amid Hayden Hackney exit

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The outcry that was generated by some sections of the Middlesbrough fanbase upon hearing that their side may replace one of their biggest assets in a long time with a defensive midfielder who got relegated out of their league last year has been dispelled by the club, which may come as a relief.

According to Teesside Live, the higher-ups at the Riverside do admire Skipp. Boro's head of football, Kieran Scott, and their head of recruitment, Chris Jones, were both heavily involved in bringing a then-19-year-old Tottenham youngster to Norwich City on loan back in 2020.

Crucially, though, they don't see him as a direct Hackney replacement, instead seeing the 25-year-old as a traditional, defensive-minded number six, rather than the creative, exciting number eight that Hackney is.

Additionally, there were also some concerns surrounding The Telegraph's report on Monday regarding the price that was being mooted for Skipp, with John Percy stating that Leicester wanted £15 million for the defensive midfielder.

It's been assured that price tag is "way beyond" Boro's limits. If Skipp were to find his way to the Riverside this summer, it would be for a fee that the higher-ups deem suitable, and it'd be expected to be a lot less than that hefty eight-figure sum.

How Middlesbrough fans are reacting to Oliver Skipp transfer truth

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While Middlesbrough fans can breathe a sigh of relief that they aren't directly planning on replacing the league's best player with someone who scored just once for a relegated side, nor are they willing to spend £15 million on him, some are still concerned about this report.

Ideally, they wouldn't have wanted to be linked with Skipp anyway, it seems. With Aidan Morris enjoying a breakout year as a defensive midfielder under Kim Hellberg, it's perhaps clear to see why.

"Oh god. Please no. The fact that you're releasing this worries me [that] we are serious about him," one fan wrote in response to the article being shared on X.

"The issue isn't that we think he's the Hackney replacement; the issue is that he's awful and paying even £5 million would be us getting scammed," another said.

"Very concerning if he is a player our recruitment team rate," was also amongst the replies, indicating that Boro could be in for a rough summer window if things continue to develop the way that they have regarding recruiting a new midfielder.

It's not exactly the most exciting rumour of the transfer window so far at Middlesbrough, and the majority of those in the stands at the Riverside would prefer it if they weren't interested in Skipp at all.