West Ham consider £20m move for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney

West Ham United are exploring a summer move for Middlesbrough’s highly rated midfielder Hayden Hackney, according to GIVEMESPORT.

Rising star in the Championship

Hackney, 23, has developed into one of the standout players in the EFL Championship since breaking into Boro’s first team in 2021. Last season, he made 44 appearances under Michael Carrick and was a key figure as Middlesbrough narrowly missed out on a playoff spot.

His composure, work rate, and ability to shield the backline have made him a player to watch, with several clubs tracking his progress over the past year.

West Ham’s midfield concerns

Graham Potter’s Hammers are in need of midfield reinforcements after a poor showing in their Premier League opener, where Sunderland’s midfield comfortably controlled the game in a 3-0 defeat. With Edson Álvarez expected to leave the London Stadium, West Ham’s need for a combative midfielder has become even more urgent.

Hackney fits the profile. He offers bite in midfield, can recycle possession efficiently, and has already shown the maturity to dictate games at Championship level.

Transfer situation

Middlesbrough recently accepted a £20m offer from Ipswich Town, but Hackney turned down the move. West Ham are now weighing up whether to take advantage of the situation and launch talks of their own.

At around £20m, Hackney represents a relatively affordable option in today’s market, and West Ham view him as a player who could step straight into their midfield while also developing further under Potter.

One to watch

With the Hammers struggling for solidity in the middle of the park, Hackney could prove to be exactly the kind of signing needed to steady the ship. Whether West Ham decide to press ahead with an offer remains to be seen, but the England U21 international’s future looks set to be a major talking point as the window progresses.