Nottingham Forest continue to keep tabs on Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, reports Alan Nixon.
Middlesbrough suffered defeat away at Bristol City in the Championship yesterday, losing 3-2 as Michael Carrick‘s side drop down into 12th, and four points outside the top six.
It was a frustrating game for Boro who found themselves two goals down at half-time, though an own goal from Bristol City’s Zak Vyner, followed up quickly by a Matt Crooks goal brought them level on terms, only to be denied a point late on.
Hackney partnered Jonny Howson in the middle. The 21-year-old is a regular starter under Carrick after making his breakthrough in the Championship last time round; Hackney has started and finished all but one of Boro’s opening 17 Championship games this season.
He came onto Premier League radars last season and remains a target for Nottingham Forest, who were apparently making checks on him during the international break.
Nixon reveals ongoing Nottingham Forest interest
Nixon has revealed on his Patreon this morning that Forest transfer chief Ross Wilson is keeping tabs on Hackney and that he watched him in action for England’s U21 side during the break.
It’s also said that Wilson is watching over Hackney’s Middlesbrough performances too.
Hackney started both games for the Young Lions as they claimed 3-0 wins over both Serbia and Northern Ireland with the Middlesbrough academy graduate having now featured in all five of England U21s’ Euro qualifiers.
Last year, Hackney extended his stay at the Riverside until 2026, with Carrick labelling him as a ‘terrific’ player.
Can Middlesbrough keep hold of Hackney?
Tying Hackney down to a new deal at the end of last year was a very good move from Middlesbrough.
And for Hackney, it’s proving to be a good move too; having his future somewhat secured has allowed him to cement his place in the side and make strides in his development, with his inclusion in the Young Lions squads a credit to him and to Carrick too.
Hackney has a legendary Premier League midfielder to learn from in Carrick. But the Boro boss will surely be wary of the likes of Nottingham Forest making a potential move for him in the January transfer window.
Middlesbrough sold their star man in the summer, offloading Chuba Akpom to Ajax, and Boro have since struggled in the Championship, so expect Carrick to be worried about something similar happening if they sell Hackney.
But if a good offer comes in then expect the club to consider it, with buying and selling just a part of being a Championship club.