Kim Hellberg says Hayden Hackney’s future is not in his hands, but remains confident he’ll remain a Middlesbrough player.
The midfielder is being linked with a move to the Premier League, with both West Ham and Manchester United showing an interest.
While speculation of a potential £30million deal is growing, it’s believed Middlesbrough have yet to receive an offer.
Hackey will be in the side for the trip to Stoke City on Wednesday night as they look to maintain the pressure on Coventry at the summit of the Championship.
Hayden Hackney is Premier League ready
Hackey has starred in Middlesbrough’s promotion push, having started in every league fixture so far.
When quizzed on Hackney’s immediate future this month, Hellberg told reporters: “I like him very much and if I could decide I would say ‘not for sale!’ But that will not come down to me.
“But I think he wants to stay here, you can see him being very, very happy and how he works. So hopefully he’s with us this year and further on.
“I think his most impressive thing is how he is as a person because he could be easily, like you start thinking about other things when you get those big clubs that are after you.
“They should be after him, because he’s a top player and I think he would be able to play in a lot of Premier League teams and do well, because that’s how good he is. That’s how good he is as a person and how good he is as a player.
“I’m working with him while he is here. I don’t think he’s going anywhere,” Hellberg added.
“He’s here, he’s working hard, he’s training hard, so that’s the only thing I think about. I cannot go and think, ‘Oh what will happen if he goes?’ It’s too many thoughts.
“I need to focus on every day here, and he’s here and he’s doing it great. Then, of course, that’s up to everyone around to see what will happen. But again, he’s important for us and he’s a top player.”
West Ham and Manchester United Transfer Interest
Football Insider reported on Monday that West Ham scouts have been watching him in action as they look towards signing a new midfielder.
Boss Nuno Espirito Santo is keen to bolster his side in their battle for Premier League safety and could also raid Boro’s league rivals Coventry for defender Bobby Thomas.
Nuno is wasting little time in transforming his squad, having already outlayed £52million on two new strikers in Taty Castellanos and Pablo Felipe.
It’s a clear sign that the Hammers board are backing him after he was the previous favourite in the Premier League sack race.
Michael Carrick’s appointment at Manchester United has also sparked speculation of a reunion between the two, with the club in the market for a central midfielder.
Under Carrick’s guidance, Hackney was nominated for the Championship Young Player of the Season award (2022/23) and won Middlesbrough’s Young Player of the Year award for that same campaign
Manchester United chiefs don’t want to make a huge transfer outlay this January with their long-term managerial plans undecided, but are willing to bring in a player if the price is right.
