Exclusive: Middlesbrough sent Hayden Hackney transfer warning as Crystal Palace push for deal | OneFootball

Speaking exclusively with FLW, Lee Hendrie has offered his thoughts on Hackney's potential summer move to Selhurst Park.

Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney has been drawing the attention of Premier League clubs, with Crystal Palace the latest side to be linked with a summer transfer swoop.

Football Insider have reported that the Eagles have had scouts in attendance to watch the England youth international throughout the season so far, and are now preparing to strike a deal in the summer.

Manchester United, Spurs, Liverpool have all been credited with an interest in the 22-year-old central midfielder in the past, as have local rivals Newcastle United.

It was revealed by GIVEMESPORT ahead of the recent winter transfer window that Middlesbrough had slapped a £25m price-tag on their academy graduate, as it appears that they will need to brace for a real battle to keep hold of their local starlet at the end of the season.

"Can't afford to let him go" - Lee Hendrie fires Middlesbrough Hayden Hackney transfer warning

Speaking exclusively with Football League World, we asked Sky Sports pundit and former player Lee Hendrie: 'Crystal Palace are pushing to sign Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney - would Palace be a good fit for the Boro midfielder in your eyes?'

Hendrie said: "Hayden Hackney - again, a player that's been linked with a lot of clubs, but Crystal Palace seem to be the one that are pushing to sign him.

"I've been impressed with him, I really have. I think he's shown that he's capable, he's got bite about his game, he can score goals, and it does seem that Palace are kind of going down that route of trying to find players that can fit their bill.

"Look at the likes of Adam Wharton that they brought in, who's been a brilliant signing. Young player with potential; I think Hackney is very similar in that sort of category.

"He might be the one that just adds probably a little more goals to his game. So, Palace seem to be the team that are going down that route of trying to target younger players, that have played in the Championship or in other leagues where they feel that there's massive potential.

"So yes, in my eyes, it would be a good fit. But, I don't think Boro can really afford to let him go."

Middlesbrough's only Hayden Hackney chance must rest on Premier League promotion

A boyhood Middlesbrough fan, Hackney has been living the Teesside dream since his first-team breakthrough at the Riverside Stadium in October 2022.

So impressive has he been and so rapid his ascent, that Boro boss Michael Carrick has even entrusted him to wear the captain's armband on numerous occasions this season.

Therefore, it's safe to presume that reaching the Premier League with Middlesbrough is a huge dream of Hackney's, but for a player who'll be 23 by the time next season starts, how long does he give that dream the chance of coming true?

A player's career is finite, and Hackney, whilst not the finished central midfield article yet, appears to have all but outgrown Championship football now, and the top is rightly where he should be looking.

As such, if Middlesbrough aren't toasting the return of top flight football this summer, then he may well have to decide to put his head over his heart, and move on to pastures new for the sake of his career progression.

It would be a huge loss for the Teessiders to see him go, but this appears to have the feeling of being a situation where Boro can only hold him back for so long if they don't propel themselves into the top flight.