West Ham United keen on signing Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney

West Ham United are weighing up a move for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney as they look to strengthen their midfield before the transfer window closes, according to Jacob Steinberg of The Guardian.

The Hammers’ struggles in the middle of the park have been glaring this season. A 3-0 defeat to Sunderland followed by a heavy 5-1 loss to Chelsea exposed just how easy it has been for opponents to cut through their midfield. Against Chelsea, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo dictated the tempo with little resistance, highlighting the lack of pressing and creativity in West Ham’s setup.

Why West Ham Want Hackney

The club urgently needs fresh energy to both shield the defence and provide a creative spark going forward. Hackney, one of the Championship’s brightest young midfielders, ticks those boxes. At 23, the England U21 international already has a reputation for progressive passing and ball-carrying, averaging 2.73 progressive carries per 90 minutes last season.

Hackney is comfortable sitting deep as a defensive pivot or pushing higher up the pitch, giving West Ham tactical flexibility. More importantly, he offers the kind of dynamism the team is crying out for — someone who can collect the ball, drive forward, and link play with the attack.

A Complicated Deal

Middlesbrough are in no rush to sell. Hackney is under contract until 2027, meaning any deal would likely cost significantly more than his current £10 million Transfermarkt valuation. For West Ham, that could complicate matters, especially with other midfield targets under consideration.

The uncertainty surrounding Guido Rodriguez’s future and the departure of Edson Alvarez to Fenerbahçe has left David Moyes short of options. With just James Ward-Prowse and Tomáš Souček as reliable choices, a new signing feels essential.

If West Ham do manage to bring Hackney to the London Stadium, he could provide the youthful legs and creativity their midfield has been missing — without requiring a record-breaking fee.