Hayden Hackney seems set to join West Ham United this summer then, if you believe the latest claim doing the rounds.
West Ham were first linked with a move to sign 21-year-old Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney back in February.
David Moyes is seemingly set to leave the Hammers this summer, so Hackney must be a Tim Steidten recommendation.
Central midfield is an area where West Ham desperately need to strengthen before the start of next season.
The signing of Kalvin Phillips hasn’t worked out at all, and Edson Alvarez urgently needs some proper competition and cover.
Hackney has been sensational for Boro this term, and he’d be a superb addition for us. But how much are we actually willing to pay for him?
How much West Ham are set to pay for Hayden Hackney
The 21-year-old has sat at the base of the Boro midfield this season under Michael Carrick’s guidance.
He is incredibly comfortable in possession, and keeps his side ticking with a superb array of passing and his cool and composed nature.
In 21 Championship appearances for Middlesbrough this season, Hackney has averaged 75.8 passes per game and has recorded a really impressive completion rate of 87.9% (Who Scored).
Carrick is a huge fan of the Redcar-born midfielder, and recently described him as the ‘shining light’ of Middlesbrough football club (Teesside Live).
And the Hammers now appear to be closing in on the English starlet. The fee we’re allegedly prepared to pay for him really is eye-watering, considering he’s not proven at Premier League level and is still only 21…
Teesside based radio station ‘The Red’ claims that the Middlesbrough midfielder is closing in on an £18 million deal to join West Ham.
Whilst that may well end up looking like fantastic business for the Hammers, it still seems like a huge outlay to me, for someone who is so unproven at the very highest level.
I would have thought that £10-12 million would be a more appropriate fee to pay for a young and unproven midfielder, albeit one with massive potential.
That said, it’s not my money is it! And if West Ham sign Hayden Hackney this summer, I’ll be more than happy.
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