New twist in Hayden Hackney's Middlesbrough exit sparks debate | OneFootball

Middlesbrough may be open to letting Hayden Hackney see out his contract, and Boro fans have had their say

After falling in the play-offs, Middlesbrough are once again bracing for a summer filled with talk surrounding an exit for star midfielder Hayden Hackney.

The 23-year-old Boro academy product was in high demand this time last season, coming off the back of a strong campaign under Michael Carrick, and recently relegated Ipswich Town had a £20 million package agreed for him, only for Hackney to turn down the move himself.

Now, Hackney has hit new heights, starring in the midfield for Kim Hellberg, recording a career-high 12 goal contributions in a single term and winning the Championship Player of the Season award for the past campaign.

With his clear Premier League quality and the fact that he has just one year remaining on his Middlesbrough deal, the Redcar-born midfielder is surely set for a move to the top flight this summer.

But, perhaps he won't be, as Boro are reportedly set to be willing to keep hold of Hackney for the final year of his deal if they don't receive an offer of £20 million from one of the various interested clubs this summer.

Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney stance has divided fan opinion

With Hackney coming through the academy at Rockliffe Park, a sale this summer would resemble pure profit for Boro and an opportunity to reinvest in numerous different positions with players who are better equipped physically to sustain Kim Hellberg's intense playstyle.

But, with how impressive the 23-year-old was under the Swedish boss before he went down with a groin injury in mid-March, which led to a run of two wins in their final eight games, it looks like Middlesbrough may be open to retaining his services for one more year.

Understandably, that split the Boro fanbase, as some are dreading the thought of one of their most saleable assets in recent years leaving for free.

"I think I'd be physically sick if I saw that man go on a free," one fan wrote on X. "From a fan point of view, I'm not against it, but thinking long term, we might regret it," said another.

Meanwhile, others actually want the higher-ups at the Riverside to hold out for even more than £20 million, and believe that the low estimated price, in their mind, would make gambling for one more year worth it.

"We want more than that, surely," was among the discourse on X, as well as "£30 million plus in this market, accept nothing less."

Ultimately, with just a year left on his deal, Boro would find it hard to get more than £20 million for Hackney, no matter his quality.

The report could be a mere bargaining chip, designed to invoke those kinds of offers for their homegrown midfielder this summer, so Middlesbrough aren't left receiving lowball offers for someone who could leave for free this time next year.

"Good negotiating tactic — but I suspect that's all it is," were among the replies. "Sounds like a bargaining stance rather than something we'd genuinely do, barring us getting purely lowball offers of sub £10 million," another wrote.

Middlesbrough's transfer stance is a massive risk, but one that could pay off

If Middlesbrough do, indeed, opt to retain Hackney for the coming season, there's a high likelihood that Boro are powerless to lose him for free next summer.

But if they do keep him, they'll have, statistically, the best player in the division over the past 12 months in their squad, who is only bound to improve due in part to his age and the full pre-season that he'll have under Kim Hellberg.

That won't automatically promote them, but it would give them a good chance of going one better than they did this past season, which is the ultimate prize. If Middlesbrough get promoted, they'll be in receipt of a lot more than £20 million.

And, there's then the possibility of Hackney choosing to extend his contract at the Riverside if Boro are a Premier League club, depending on whether the divisional status of his current side is the only reason why the 23-year-old may choose to leave this summer.

It'd be a massive risk, but one that could pay off tenfold if they were to get promoted next season.