Middlesbrough manager Rob Edwards says the ball is in Hayden Hackney’s court as to whether the midfielder joins the Blues or stays with the Teessiders.
On Tuesday, TWTD was first to reveal that Boro had accepted a £15 million offer from Town for the 23-year-old after discussions over the past few weeks.
Hackney is still to make up his mind on the switch, Premier League clubs having been expected to move for him this summer, however, it’s understood none have made an approach.
Asked about the offer having been accepted and the situation as it stands when interviewed on BBC Radio Teesside this evening, Edwards said: "I can’t really say any more than that. The ball, so to speak, is probably in H’s court now, and that’s where we stand.”
Quizzed on how he’d feel in the two scenarios of Hackney joining the Blues or staying at the Riverside, Edwards added: "I think it’s a win-win. I think people can be calm about the whole situation, I’ll reassure them as well, if H is here, then he’s a brilliant player and he’s ours, which is great. If he’s not, there will be funds available.”
Despite having signed Dutchman Azor Matusiwa from Rennes in France, the Blues are in the market for more central midfielders with loanees Jens Cajuste and Kalvin Phillips having moved on at the end of the season, Massimo Luongo released before joining Millwall and skipper Sam Morsy switching to Kuwait SC last week.
One-time Scunthorpe loanee Hackney, who is contracted until the summer of 2027, came through the youth system at Boro, his local club, having joined the club as an U10.
He was part of the England U21s squad which won the European Championships in Slovakia last month alongside Town forward Omari Hutchinson.