Hayden Hackney: Wages at Middlesbrough and is a Man Utd or Leeds United move possible? | OneFootball

Football League World looks at Hayden Hackney's financial and transfer situations at Middlesbrough amid intensifying speculation over his future

Hayden Hackney's future with Middlesbrough has long found itself the subject of intense speculation, and the saga could arrive at something of a crescendo dependent on the outcome of the side's ongoing bid for promotion to the Premier League.

The 23-year-old, who graduated from Middlesbrough's academy and is already closing in on 150 appearances for his boyhood club, has been linked with a litany of top-flight outfits since completing an impressive first-team breakthrough during the 2022/23 campaign as the Teessiders sealed a top-six finish under previous boss Michael Carrick.

With that, of course, comes a long-term recognition as one of the best and most complete midfielders at Championship level, which has only been further enforced during the current campaign - where Middlesbrough have emerged among the frontrunners for automatic promotion.

Hackney has been an inspirational figure at the Riverside Stadium, starting all of Boro's 32 league outings and registering four goals and five assists - and counting - from central midfield.

It's no surprise, then, that Hackney has continued to attract interest following the conclusion of the mid-season transfer window as we head towards the term's final stages, with no shortage of suitors seemingly monitoring his services amid Middlesbrough's promotion push.

Indeed, clubs are already keeping one eye on the summer window, which will swing around before we know it, and with that in mind, what is Hackney's current situation?

Will the homegrown midfield star leave Hellberg's side for either Leeds or Manchester United? And whast sort of contract is he on in the North East? Football League World takes a closer look...

Hayden Hackney's Middlesbrough contract and wages

Hackney's contractual situation could offer some concern to Middlesbrough, who will be desperate to retain his signature for as long as possible and receive an incredibly-handsome outlay when the time does arrive to cash in and bid farewell.

The ex-Scunthorpe United loan man put pen to paper on a fresh four-year deal in the summer of 2023, which sees him through until 2027. That deal is up next summer, though, which may create the worry about potentially losing him on a free to a European side in that January, or to any long-term admirers domestically later on in 2027.

Capology, meanwhile, a site which provides estimated information on player and club salaries, has claimed that Hackney earns a weekly wage of just £6,500.

That is, it must be stressed, nothing more than an estimated figure, with Middlesbrough much more likely to be paying Hackney a salary more reflective of his abilities, role and importance considering the midfielder's exploits over the last few years, but as per the information at hand, he's currently earning less than fringe teammates in the likes of Micah Hamilton, Sontje Hansen and Kaly Sene.

One thing does appear certain - Hackney could collect a more handsome pay packet elsewhere and Boro would perhaps be wise to ready fresh contract action in order to receive additional security surrounding his ever-speculated future.

Could Hayden Hackney leave Middlesbrough for Leeds United or Man United?

Two of the latest clubs to be linked with a move for Hackney are Leeds United and Manchester United, who may find themselves at opposing ends of the Premier League table but seemingly share the same admiration.

Reports over the weekend from Alan Nixon of The Sun - via his exclusive Patreon service - identified Leeds as an admirer of Hackney, while it has been reported by TEAMtalk that Man United, currently under the stewardship of the aforementioned Carrick, are also in the race.

Hackney has been linked with the likes of Everton, Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur, too, with a bidding war potentially set to commence once the summer rolls around.

But it's Nixon's report which offers the clearest potential indication. It's said that Leeds are "huge fans" of Hackney, who is understood to represent a priority purchase if the Whites are able to retain their top-flight status under Daniel Farke.

Importantly, the report adds that any deal hinges on the outcome of Middlesbrough's promotion pursuit, which could intensify Hackney's desperation to test his worth at Premier League level if the Teessiders are bound for another season in the Championship.

Boro's ambitions of returning to the top-flight automatically were handed a bruising blow on Monday evening, where their six-match winning streak was dramatically halted with a 3-1 defeat to Coventry City - who have now claimed back top spot over Hellberg's side.

With Ipswich Town also lurking with a handy two games in hand, the three-horse race - four if Millwall are included in the reckoning for a top-two finish - is poised to go right down to the wire and there are no guarantees as to what division Middlesbrough will be strutting their stuff in come August.

That, however, appears to be exactly what's going to define Hackney's future ahead of the summer, and while the midfielder would be expected to lead his club into the Premier League if they can get over the line, it's difficult to see him spending another campaign in the Championship and Boro will be sweating over that as Hellberg doubles down on his efforts to take Boro up.