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Middlesbrough are preparing for the possibility of creating a fierce transfer battle this summer over their standout midfielder, Hayden Hackney.

It’s a rare occurrence for a club to suffer elimination twice in one set of play-offs, but that is exactly what happened to Middlesbrough in what turned out to be a dramatic month for the Teessiders.

After their play-off semi-final loss to Southampton, Middlesbrough were reinstated into the competition following Southampton’s disqualification due to the ‘spygate’ controversy.

However, despite selling out their ticket allocation for the final at Wembley Stadium, ‘Boro were defeated 1-0 by Hull City, with a late error from goalkeeper Sol Brynn allowing Oli McBurnie to net the decisive goal.

That result means Middlesbrough will remain in the Championship for another season, a major disappointment given that they were leading the table as recently as mid-February.

Under the guidance of former Hammarby manager Kim Hellberg, and with an upcoming summer transfer window to shape a squad better suited to his tactical style, Middlesbrough are expected to be among the front-runners for automatic promotion next season.

However, it now appears that they may need to pursue that goal without the services of their influential midfielder, Hayden Hackney.

Throughout the season, it was widely believed that Middlesbrough’s only realistic chance of retaining Hackney would hinge on their promotion to the Premier League.

Having already drawn interest from Nottingham Forest, Everton, and Fulham in previous transfer windows, Hackney is now reportedly on the radar of Crystal Palace, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur.

This calibre of interest has pleased Football League World’s Middlesbrough fan pundit Liam Day, who believes these clubs reflect Hackney’s talent level and could help Middlesbrough command a higher transfer fee for their 23-year-old star.

Day commented: “I think all three are excellent options. I’m really pleased with the clubs he’s being linked with.

“Crystal Palace have just lifted a European trophy, Spurs look strong under Roberto De Zerbi, and they have a gap in midfield that Hackney could fill. Manchester United, despite their recent struggles, are still in the Champions League, and Michael Carrick knows Hackney well from his time managing him at Middlesbrough. All three are very attractive destinations.”

He continued: “Personally, I think Spurs might be the best fit because he would likely get more playing time there than at United or Palace. Palace would also be a fine choice.

“He needs regular minutes. We’ve often seen young players move to the Premier League and struggle for game time. As long as he’s playing, it’s a good move. The links to clubs of this stature are also positive for Middlesbrough, as it could spark a bidding war. Manchester United have a reputation for overspending, so hopefully, we can capitalise on that.”

Hackney, who was part of England’s 2025 UEFA Under-21 European Championship-winning squad, has been a key figure for Middlesbrough in recent seasons. The Redcar-born midfielder now looks ready to make the step up to the Premier League.

Each of the three clubs currently linked with him would offer intriguing opportunities for the former Scunthorpe United loanee.

At Crystal Palace, even with a managerial change imminent, he would follow in the footsteps of Adam Wharton, with Selhurst Park proving a fertile ground for developing young midfielders such as Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise.

Palace’s UEFA Europa Conference League triumph also means potential UEFA Europa League football next season, offering Hackney both European exposure and consistent playing time within a larger squad setup.

At Manchester United, Hackney would reunite with his former Middlesbrough boss Michael Carrick, the man who first gave him the platform to excel at the Riverside Stadium — a link that could be key to his continued development.

Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur are entering a vital rebuilding phase after consecutive 17th-place finishes. Under De Zerbi’s progressive footballing philosophy, Hackney’s style and energy could fit seamlessly into the new-look Spurs midfield.

With several top-flight sides circling, Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson will be determined to maximise Hackney’s value and drive up competition among his suitors, ensuring the club benefits substantially from any potential transfer.