Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney must avoid mistake Gus Hamer made leaving Coventry City | OneFootball

The Championship Player of the Season has been attracting plenty of interest.

With the summer transfer window fast approaching, news on the future of Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney is starting to swirl faster and faster.

Boro's talisman has enjoyed the best season of his career, which has seen him crowned Championship Player of the Season ahead of Carl Rushworth, Femi Azeez and Zan Vipotnik.

While the Teesside club would surely love to hold onto their prized asset, they first must secure promotion to the Premier League, which will likely have to come via the play-offs.

Coventry City are just one of the clubs interested in Hackney, but given that some established top-flight outfits are tracking him, could he move to the Sky Blues?

Hayden Hackney likely to move to established Premier League club

Having clinched promotion to the Premier League on Friday night, Frank Lampard's side can now focus on their summer transfer plans, although planning would have started some time ago.

Coventry will likely be considering some of the Championship's leading talents, and they do not come more talented than Hackney.

However, when asked whether he could see a move to the West Midlands club coming to fruition, FLW's Middlesbrough fan pundit Liam Day cast doubt on that proposition.

"I have a feeling that he'll go to a more established club than Coventry," he told Football League World.

"In the past, you've seen players move up, say, Gus Hamer from Coventry to Sheffield United, for example, and they fail to make a proper, proper impact in the Premier League.

"Then all of a sudden they're back in the Championship and are struggling to get a move back out, so I think he's got to be really smart with the next move.

"I think there'll be plenty of interest, and I think there'll definitely be some established Premier League clubs after him, so I think if he's smart, and he waits for the right club, then I think he will go to a bigger club than Coventry.

"But obviously, if they're one of the only options available in the Premier League, then yes, I can see that move happening.

"I think he has to look out for his own career, and he needs to go to a club, if there are some interested that are a lot more established, and he can stay there a bit longer."

Why is Middlesbrough's star in demand?

Those of a Middlesbrough persuasion do not need to be told why Hackney is being linked with a Premier League move this summer, given the level of consistency he has shown since graduating from the academy.

Since his breakthrough 2022/23 season, he has proven his versatility in Boro's midfield and can operate in a defensive, attacking or central role.

For a player in his position, his statistics over the years have been encouraging, but this term he has contributed five goals and eight assists in the Championship — career-high figures for Middlesbrough's main man.

However, when you dig deeper into his numbers, it is easy to understand why he was named Championship Player of the Season.

No player in the division has created more chances, completed more dribbles or had more touches in the opposition box than the 23-year-old, according to Fotmob, while he is among the top players for a host of other key metrics.

So, is he ready to make the step-up to the Premier League?

Which clubs are rivalling Coventry City for Hackney's signature?

Hackney has long been linked with Premier League clubs, but understandably, they have taken their time to watch the player develop before making a final decision.

However, whether it be with Middlesbrough or another side, it feels that the 23-year-old will finally be playing top-flight football next season.

Everton are the latest team to be linked with Hackney, with the Merseyside club said to be huge admirers of the central-midfielder.

Of course, a move to the North West would be hugely appealing to the Englishman as he would have the opportunity to play under David Moyes for a side that could be playing European football next season.

Earlier this year, Fulham and Leeds United were credited with interest in the midfielder, while English giants Manchester United have also been linked.

Whatever happens, the final decision will ultimately rest with Hackney, and he would be wise to bide his time before making such a critical decision on his future, especially given the trajectory of Hamer's career.