Middlesbrough face the prospect of losing Hayden Hackney in the final week of the transfer window.
Hayden Hackney has been a key player for Boro over the last few years but could now be on his way out of the Riverside Stadium.
The 22-year-old is one of Middlesbrough’s best academy graduates in recent years and had a particularly great 2023/24.
Hackney scored the winner as Boro beat Chelsea in the first leg of a League Cup semi-final and before his injury, was forming a great partnership with Jonny Howson.
The midfielder then suffered a season-ending injury but that did not stop Tottenham showing interest in Hackney at the end of the campaign.
Those links died down during the first few months of the summer transfer window but have now emerged once more.
Boro News understands Tottenham have been scouting Hackney during Middlesbrough’s first few games of 2024/25, with the North East outfit fearful a club may make a move for the player this month.
With this in mind, here are three players Middlesbrough could sign to replace Hackney this month…
Boubakary Soumare
Boubakary Soumare joined Leicester City from LOSC Lille in July 2021 for a fee of around £17m.
That is a large transfer sum that the Foxes may be wish to recoup most of but if Hackney is sold, it will likely be for a similar fee given Middlesbrough want over £20m to sell Emmanuel Latte Lath.
Soumare has struggled to hold down a regular starting berth at Leicester over the last few seasons and spent last term out on loan.
The 25-year-old is expected to continue struggling for game time under Steve Cooper, featuring for just 11 minutes against Tottenham on Monday.
Soumare is a more defensive option than Hackney, but the arrival of Aidan Morris means Boro could probably do with a midfielder who will sit deeper and allow the American to provide the attacking threat from deep.
Cesare Casadei
Alternatively, if Michael Carrick wants to sign a Hackney replacement who will offer more going forward, Cesare Casadei could be an option.
Casadei is currently on Chelsea’s books but given they are nearly close to being able to fill Stamford Bridge with just their players, a transfer for the Italian should be fairly doable this month.
The 22-year-old is a creative midfielder who, like Hackney, thrives when carrying the ball up the pitch.
Casadei is an excellent dribbler and has already impressed in the Championship, scoring three and assisting two while on loan at Leicester last term.
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James McAtee
James McAtee is a product of Manchester City’s academy, whom Middlesbrough have a good relationship with after their recent deals for Morgan Rogers and Micah Hamilton.
A permanent switch for the player is very unlikely, but Man City should be willing to sanction a loan given the 22-year-old will not be a regular starter at the Etihad in 2024/25.
McAtee is best suited to a number 10 role but he is very capable of playing slightly deeper.
He made 31 Premier League appearances on loan at a struggling Sheffield United last season and was still able to score three and assist three.