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

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

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 and pay less for the 30-year-old, Hackney has emerged as a contingency plan.

The Boro star was named the Championship Player of the Season following an impressive campaign. He bagged five goals and eight assists in 38 league appearances last season.

Hackney also contributed to Southampton missing out on the £200m bounty that reaching the Premier League would have generated.

They were expelled from the Championship play-offs after sending a member of staff to spy on Middlesbrough’s training session to ascertain Hackney’s fitness before the semi-final.

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.

With Hackney in the final year of his contract, 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 is unclear if any club is willing to spend £20m on him right now.

The Lilywhites will look to make key additions to their squad this summer after a dismal season.

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.