Crystal Palace are preparing to step up their pursuit of Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, with the club expected to submit an offer as they begin shaping the squad for a new era under incoming head coach Pierre Sage.
The Eagles are closing in on the appointment of Sage following his remarkable achievements with Lens, where he guided the French side to the first major cup success in the club’s history while also securing a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and qualification for the UEFA Champions League.
With a move to Selhurst Park now edging closer, attention is already turning towards potential additions, and Hackney has emerged as one of Palace’s leading midfield targets.
The South London club are understood to be readying a bid worth around £20 million for the Middlesbrough star as they attempt to beat Everton to his signature. However, negotiations may not be straightforward, with Middlesbrough believed to value the midfielder at closer to £25 million despite the fact he has entered the final year of his current contract.
Palace’s interest comes at a time when uncertainty surrounds the future of their midfield department. Daichi Kamada is expected to leave the club when his contract expires this summer, while Adam Wharton continues to attract serious interest from Liverpool, who are monitoring the England international ahead of a possible move.
Should either player depart, the need for reinforcements in the centre of the park would become even more urgent, making Hackney an attractive option for Palace’s recruitment team.
The 23-year-old has established himself as one of the Championship’s most accomplished midfielders over the past two seasons. Comfortable in possession, energetic out of it and capable of dictating the tempo of matches, Hackney has become a key figure at the Riverside Stadium.
Former Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards was among those to praise the midfielder’s influence following a 3-0 victory over Millwall last August.
“I thought Hayden was excellent. Loads of energy, loads of quality, desire, passion and he won a lot of duels.
“His running was really good – that’s the best he’s looked since he’s come back from the success that he had with the national team.”
Hackney continued to impress long after Edwards’ departure, producing a string of influential performances throughout the campaign. He featured in 38 Championship matches and played a central role in Middlesbrough’s push for promotion.
His consistency and impact were recognised at the end of the season when he was named the Championship Player of the Season, further enhancing his reputation as one of the brightest midfield talents outside the Premier League.
With ambitions of testing himself at the highest level, a move to Crystal Palace could provide the perfect next step in his career. For Pierre Sage, meanwhile, securing Hackney’s signature would represent an impressive statement of intent and potentially the first major signing of his reign at Selhurst Park.
