Southampton launch £12m bid for Middlesbrough star Finn Azaz - Hayden Hackney implications revealed | OneFootball

The Saints are hoping to complete a deal for Boro's talismanic attacking midfielder.

Southampton have reportedly launched a £12m approach to sign Middlesbrough star Finn Azaz, in a deal that could have major implications for Hayden Hackney's Boro future.

Both the Saints and the Teessiders are expected to be busy in the market right up until the 1 September deadline.

Southampton have only been able to add Damion Downs and Joshua Quarshie respectively to Will Still's ranks this summer, whilst Rob Edwards has made a host of eye-catching signings in the form of Sverre Nypan, Sontje Hansen and Callum Brittain respectively.

However, with both clubs still looking to strengthen further, and with both having some star players being courted by clubs, business could really be about to heat up for both teams.

Southampton move for Middlesbrough's Finn Azaz - Hayden Hackney implications revealed

The future of one of Middlesbrough's key players, Finn Azaz, has come into question this summer.

The Irish Sun reported in late May that Bournemouth and Leeds United had joined Crystal Palace in the race to secure the signature of Boro's 24-year-old attacking midfield talisman.

Since then, however, things have gone fairly quiet on the Azaz front in terms of a transfer away from the Riverside.

That was until Wednesday evening, when a report from the Daily Mail claimed that Southampton have lodged a bid worth up to £12m for the Republic of Ireland international.

The report claims that initial talks between the two clubs have started, at the same time as West Ham are making an improved approach for Saints' own star midfielder, Mateus Fernandes.

However, Azaz is not the only Middlesbrough midfielder who is the subject of serious transfer interest, as Football League World exclusively revealed that Ipswich Town are preparing a fresh offer for Hayden Hackney - which the Daily Mail corroborates - after the Boro academy graduate turned down a £20m move to Portman Road earlier this month.

Crucially, as far as Middlesbrough and the Tractor Boys are concerned, should Azaz be allowed to leave this summer, then the Daily Mail claim that it's 'highly unlikely' Hackney will be allowed to exit the Riverside, with Boro seemingly unwilling to sanction exits for both of these players.

Southampton may need to up Finn Azaz offer if they're set on bringing Boro star to St Mary's

Middlesbrough are in a strong position when it comes to negotiating through interest in Azaz this summer.

The former Aston Villa man is contracted with the Teessiders until the summer of 2028, and having already sold the likes of Rav van den Berg and Josh Coburn for handsome fees this summer, Boro will likely feel confident they're in a position where they don't need to sanction another big-money exit before the deadline.

That's not to say that they won't, as with transfer plans of their own still to tick off before the window slams shuts, banking another big payday could hand Rob Edwards with the funds to make some last-minute splashes to bolster his side's promotion credentials.

However, whilst £12m is not a fee to be shrugged off, it's also likely that Middlesbrough will want a bigger sum than that if they are to seriously consider cashing in on Azaz, especially to a direct Championship promotion rival.

The aforementioned report from The Irish Sun claimed that Boro rated Azaz around the £20m mark, and considering his contract situation and the fact he recorded 12 goals and 11 assists in a 10th-placed Boro side last term, that doesn't feel an unreasonable price to aspire for.