Sources: Crystal Palace plot move to sign Middlesbrough star
03/18/2025 12:15 PM
Crystal Palace are plotting a move to sign Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Eagles have had scouts regularly in attendance at the Riverside Stadium throughout the season to keep tabs on the 22-year-old’s progress.
There is now a feeling that the midfielder is ready to make the step up to the Premier League and could move if Michael Carrick’s side miss out on promotion.
Middlesbrough are currently eighth in the Championship, three points below sixth-placed West Brom but just three above 12th-placed Sheffield Wednesday.
They are reluctant to let Hackney leave this summer and plan to keep hold of their star academy graduate – but it may be difficult to turn down big-money offers if they remain a Championship side.
As a result, Crystal Palace are keeping a close eye on his situation and are putting plans in place to make a move as scouts have been impressed by what they have seen.
The Eagles have also been tracking the performances of Ben Doak at Boro, after industry insider Mick Brown told Football InsiderDoak has no future at Liverpool.
| Hayden Hackney | |
| Appearances (Starts) | 35 (35) |
| Minutes Played | 3076 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 2 |
| Yellow Cards | 5 |
Crystal Palace eye Hayden Hackney deal after Dougie Freedman exit
Crystal Palace have an impressive record when recruiting from the Championship and have seen success with the likes of Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton in the past.
All three have gone on to represent their countries, while Olise moved to Bayern Munich for £50million last summer and Man City are interested in Wharton.
Director of football Dougie Freedman has been the leading man behind these deals, but is now leaving Palace to take a new role overseas.
That has led to some concern, but sources say his departure is unlikely to have any immediate impact on the Eagles’ summer transfer plans.
As a result, Hackney is being lined up as the latest Championship signing to make the step up at Palace as Oliver Glasner plans to add to his squad.
Will Hughes to sign new contract at Selhurst Park
The arrival of Hackney would add further depth to what is considered a promising group of players at Palace as they continue to build for the future.
One player who has shone so far this season at Selhurst Park is Will Hughes, playing in Hackney’s usual central midfield role alongside Wharton.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 13 March that Palace are in advanced talks with Hughes over a new contract as his current deal was set to expire at the end of the season.
This comes after Football Insider revealed earlier this year that Brentford, West Ham and Fulham are monitoring Hughes’ situation – but they now look set to miss out.
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The post Sources: Crystal Palace plot move to sign Middlesbrough star appeared first on Football Insider.
