What Steve Gibson said to Rob Edwards before he left for Wolves should offer Middlesbrough big Hayden Hackney boost | OneFootball

Hayden Hackney had previously been the subject of interest from Wolverhampton Wanderers prior to Rob Edwards' departure

Hayden Hackney had been the subject of interest from Premier League outfit Wolverhampton Wanderers as recently as this summer, but any deal between the two clubs now appears to be impossible following Rob Edwards' departure from Boro to the Black Country outfit.

There has been a feeling of mixed emotions at Middlesbrough this season.

Following an impressive start to the campaign, winning each of their four opening league matches, Boro have looked good value for a place in the top six this season, currently sitting in third after 17 games, behind only Stoke City and Coventry City.

However, the controversial departure of former head coach Rob Edwards, who only made the move to Teesside this summer, has, understandably, not gone down well with the Boro faithful, and especially chairman Steve Gibson.

Edwards made it clear to Middlesbrough that he wanted to make the switch to Wolves once the position became available and the Premier League outfit registered their interest in him, with the Welshman having made 111 appearances for the club across all competitions during his playing career.

The departure of the 42-year-old was not planned by Boro and has left them scrambling for a replacement, with Adi Viveash having to take charge of Boro's last three outings against Birmingham City, Oxford United, and Coventry City.

Middlesbrough have since appointed Swedish head coach Kim Hellberg to replace Edwards, beating Swansea City to his appointment, and as the January window approaches, chairman Gibson has been quick to issue a 'hands off' warning to Edwards and Wolves for any of their players, including star midfielder Hayden Hackney.

Wolves' appointment of Rob Edwards has made a deal for Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney almost impossible

Following the departure of Edwards to Wolves, Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson was quick to let the Welshman know that any inquiries into the availability of any Boro players would be met with a ‘short shrift’ response, according to Molineux News.

This will not be welcome news for Wolves, who had previously held an interest in Hackney as recently as this summer, and any deal for the England Under-21 international now appears to be almost impossible with Gibson unwilling to conduct business with Edwards.

This, however, will be welcome news for Boro fans, with Hackney having graduated through the club's academy system on his way to becoming one of Middlesbrough's most valuable assets and important players.

Hackney was close to a move away from The Riverside this summer, with division rivals Ipswich Town having agreed a deal worth a reported £20 million for the 23-year-old, only for him to turn a move to Suffolk down, stating he'd only want to move away from Middlesbrough if it were to a Premier League club, according to Pete O'Rourke.

The midfielder has also been the subject of interest from Everton, Crystal Palace, and West Ham, but he would ultimately remain at Middlesbrough beyond the summer deadline, and has been a huge reason that the club finds itself in a battle for automatic promotion at this stage.

Middlesbrough retaining the services of Hayden Hackney this January will be crucial to their promotion ambitions

So far this season, Hackney has started all of Middlesbrough's 17 Championship games this season, forming a strong partnership alongside USMNT player Aidan Morris.

A consistent member of the England Under-21 squad for the past couple of years, Hackney has scored three and assisted three this season too, as he has played a huge role in Boro's early-season success.

Hackney has long been the subject of interest through numerous windows at this stage, but Middlesbrough have held firm to retain his services despite heavy interest from elsewhere.

Should they maintain a strong push for promotion this season, it is imperative that they retain the services of Hackney beyond the January window, with interest in the Englishman almost a formality.

A Premier League player in waiting, Hackney's contract is due to expire in the summer of 2027, and if he is unable to achieve promotion with his boyhood club this season, Boro may be forced to cash in during the next summer window instead of risking losing him for nothing.

Wolves' perilous form in the top flight means they have become an even less attractive proposition for Hackney, and with Gibson unwilling to conduct business with the club, a move to Molineux this January or beyond seems extremely unlikely.

Hackney's chances of going to Wolves will be a huge boost for Middlesbrough and their supporters, who will be dreaming of Premier League football returning to Teesside next season with Hackney remaining in the midfield.