Aston Villa and Spurs in transfer tussle for Middlesbrough player | OneFootball

Aston Villa and Tottenham are the latest clubs to show an interest in Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney.

Aston Villa and Tottenham are the latest clubs to show an interest in Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney ahead of the summer transfer window.

It has been a frustrating campaign for Boro under Michael Carrick, as they have failed to consistently get results, although they still remain firmly in the hunt for a play-off finish.

So, Hackney’s immediate focus will be on helping the side reach the Premier League, but his long-term future remains up in the air after Boro rejected an offer from Porto FC to ensure they reatined the player in January.

Hayden Hackney attracting Aston Villa and Spurs interest

It has been claimed previously that Crystal Palace are keen on Hackney, and Football Insider has revealed that Spurs and Villa are also keeping tabs.

They explain that there is a realistic chance Hackney will depart the Riverside Stadium if Boro fail to go up, and they could hope for a ‘bidding war’ if formal offers arrive.

The England U21 international is contracted to the Teesside outfit until the summer of 2027, so Boro would be in a position to get a hefty fee for their star man when the window opens.

Hayden Hackney has the ability to play in the Premier League

This won’t really come as a surprise to Boro, as all connected to the club know they have little chance of retaining Hackney if they stay in the Championship for multiple reasons.

Firstly, it will mean tough financial decisions must be made, and the reality is that Hackney is the prized asset at Middlesbrough right now, so a sale could give the manager more freedom when it comes to reshaping the squad.

Furthermore, Hackney has the ability to play in the Premier League, and he will surely want to test himself at the highest possible level.

The prospect of joining clubs like Villa and Spurs is going to appeal, particularly if they have European football on the table as well.

So, a summer move does seem inevitable if Boro don’t go up, but promotion would change the picture entirely, and you would expect the midfielder to stick around.

That means there’s lots to play for over the next few months, and the target for Hackney and Boro is ensuring they reach the Premier League together this season.