Hackney is a Championship club product who rose through the academy ranks and is now a major player at The Riverside Stadium.
The 21-year-old has played for ‘Boro’ in well over 50 games since the beginning of the previous season, solidifying his place in Michael Carrick’s starting lineup and earning his influence.
Because of his performance, he has also gained prominence on the international scene and been awarded several caps for England’s Under 21 team.
Therefore, it shouldn’t come as a major surprise that the Middlesbrough academy graduate is drawing a lot of interest from other sources.
Hackney could be acquired by Nottingham Forest.
A number of Premier League clubs are reportedly interested in Hackney as the January transfer season approaches, according to recent claims from The Daily Mail.
It’s believed that Manchester United, Liverpool, Tottenham, and both Manchester City and Manchester United are keeping an eye on the midfield player’s development at the Riverside Stadium.
When the transfer market opens at the beginning of the new year, Nottingham Forest, a different team in the top division of English football, is reportedly considering making an attempt to recruit the 21-year-old.
Considering his potential and the amount of interest he is attracting from other teams, getting Hackney would seem to be a huge coup for Forest.
It may be argued, nevertheless, that the circumstances surrounding one man who is still nominally a Nottingham Forest player make it more difficult than ever to bring Hackney to The City Ground.
Because of Lewis O’Brien’s injury, Middlesbrough cannot afford to let Hackney leave.
Another move between Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest was set to be finalized back in the summer.
Lewis O’Brien left The City Ground to sign a season-long loan with Middlesbrough, so that contract was the exact reverse of what this possible Hackney deal would entail.
Following that transfer, the midfield player started the season with six appearances for ‘Boro in all competitions.
However, the 25-year-old has not played for the Championship team since the end of September due to a major injury to his ankle and lower leg sustained during a 3-2 victory at Watford.
It’s unclear when O’Brien, a midfielder for Nottingham Forest on loan, will be able to play again for Middlesbrough after missing several months due to that injury.
Indeed, it’s possible that the midfield player may require some time to regain his optimal level of match fitness and sharpness after being out of action for such a lengthy time.
Because of this, Middlesbrough presently has fewer options in the middle of midfield than they would like.
As a result, even though they probably wouldn’t want to lose Hackney given his significance and potential as a long-term asset, it is even more crucial that they keep the 21-year-old on staff in light of O’Brien’s current absence.
Middlesbrough will be able to rest easy knowing they have the players and quantity they need to compete in the middle of the park for the duration of the season if they can pull that off.
You therefore believe that, compared to what would already be the case, their determination to reject any possible bids that might be made for Hackney should be considerably stronger.
In this manner, they will be able to maintain a valuable player in Hackney and secure the cover they require in that role for the duration of their absence from O’Brien. Given that the ‘Boro academy graduate is under contract at The Riverside Stadium until the summer of 2027, they should have no trouble fulfilling this requirement.
