Town are reportedly willing to pay Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney £35,000-a-week, TWTD having revealed that the Blues had made an approach for the 23-year-old almost a fortnight ago.

As previously reported, Hackney has been on Town’s radar all summer but with the interest stepped up a couple of weeks ago. We understand progress has been made on the move since then.

Now, according to The Sun’s Alan Nixon on his Patreon page, the Blues are willing to pay Hackney £35,000 if he completes a move to Portman Road in a £20 million deal, a higher sum than was initially offered.

Premier League interest had been expected in Hackney this summer with the player keen to move to the top flight, but, as we revealed, none has shown the same level of interest as the Blues.

Yesterday, Hackney was left out of the Boro side which drew 2-2 with Rangers at Ibrox due to a minor injury, which manager Rob Edwards insisted had nothing to do with the Redcar-born schemer’s future.

“H felt a little bit of pain in the back of his knee yesterday and at the minute, we can’t risk anything,” he told Teesside Live.

“We wouldn’t want to do that with any player at this time. It’s nothing to do with anything transfer-wise. There was genuine pain there and Reidy [head physio Adam Reid] said it’s just not worth the risk.

“We kept him at home where he’s able to get some treatment. Listen, we have got good players and there is always going to be interest and speculation. But this one was genuinely just a bit of pain in the knee and is genuinely nothing to worry about.”

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 earlier in the 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.

Meanwhile, Nixon is also linking the Blues with Scotland international striker Oli McBurnie, but with his former club Swansea said to be winning the race for the 29-year-old.

McBurnie, who is also said to be interesting Hull City, has been with Las Palmas in Spain having signed a three-year deal last July, but is a free agent following their relegation from La Liga.

He left Sheffield United last summer on a free transfer, having joined the Blades from the Swans for a fee which eventually totalled around £20 million in July 2019.

While the Blues are on the lookout for another striker, probably two, before the window closes, it would be a surprise if they moved for McBurnie.

Photo: MI News via Reuters Connect

baxterbasics added 11:49 - Jul 27 McBurnie would clearly only be a distant backup to Hirst, hence why Swansea might be a better prospect for him. This is the problem though isn't it? Hard to bring in a quality striker when they know they will likely be backup and we only play one up front. Unless we look for someone promising enough to challenge Hirst.
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baxterbasics added 11:49 - Jul 27 McBurnie would clearly only be a distant backup to Hirst, hence why Swansea might be a better prospect for him. This is the problem though isn't it? Hard to bring in a quality striker when they know they will likely be backup and we only play one up front. Unless we look for someone promising enough to challenge Hirst.
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Gazelle added 12:19 - Jul 27 Can’t we put an end to all this transfer speculation, the Club will tell us who they’ve signed when they’re ready.
1

Marinersnose added 12:21 - Jul 27 Hackney is a very neat and tidy player who is likely to improve under McKenna so he’d be a welcome addition but Brownhill is in his prime and he’s free and has PL experience and scores goals. Both would be good positive recruiting imo. We definitely need another in midfield and at least a striker as Hirst has a poor injury record albeit he’s a capable player at Championship level. Get it done

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darkhorse28 added 12:23 - Jul 27 Would be a fantastic statement signing, mobile, physical and technically very good, makes so much sense for the double pivot, at a great age. Mcburnie on a free too will be v expensive, but he’s a handful and creates space…, we’ve missed that since Murphy and Moore, loves a scrap. Would be a million times more confident with these two on board.
2

BlueMoon added 12:37 - Jul 27 We’re going to have to pay over the odds to attract a player to us versus a lower Prem side. Hopefully the lure of developing under McKenna would also come into play. We have to make the parachute money count while we have it; differentiate ourselves from the other Championship sides and get promoted ASAP - start the ball rolling again.
1

benslifeyt added 13:11 - Jul 27 Hackney will be a prem player soon . He is a modern day carrick class act. Burnie no thank . Go bring Moore home don’t let Wrexham have him
1

Bazza8564 added 13:30 - Jul 27 HH is quality, young and full of potential. Has been our number 1 MF target all summer so it's excellent that the deal looks close. Rob Edwards' comments about an injury are ridiculous too. Tomorrow could be a huge day.....
3

blues1 added 13:33 - Jul 27 Jas0999. Yes, we've lost 4, but you have to remember, we've signed Matusawi, and Humphries is now back, so if Hackney signs, thats 3 replacements for those who have gone. So with Taylor, we'd have 4 central midfielders, which is plenty for the championship. Not as easy to keep everyone happy if not playing, in the championship, as it would be in the pl. So only having 4 rather than 5 makes sense.

2

Linkboy13 added 13:37 - Jul 27 Cannot understand this passion for Moore he's tall but not outstanding in the air no pace not a great goal scoring record maybe he waves to the crowd. He had a nightmare in the play off final laying on one of Sunderland's goals. Someone tell me why he would be a good option.
2

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 13:48 - Jul 27 Really hope the Hackney rumour is true. Really Really hope the McBurnie one isn't.
2

Blue_Heath added 13:49 - Jul 27 Get HH in, another striker and then we are good to go.
0

blueboy1981 added 14:28 - Jul 27 I think Gamechanger will have a huge say in this crazy figure in Championship level football - cannot see them getting done again !
-8

blues1 added 14:44 - Jul 27 Blueboy1981. What a,daft comment. You really think we'd be offering this money(if we actually are, of course), without the blessing of gamechanger?
3

TimmyH added 15:39 - Jul 27 I know I'll get marked down for this, we haven't exactly been successful of late in buying 'top' Championship players which have exceeded our expectations and this signing would be for the future and a return to the Premiership. When I read a possible £35k a week I'm not sure if this is the right move...
3

blueoutlook added 16:00 - Jul 27 Trying to read the comments on this site is near impossible with the amount of adds that keep popping up. Getting as bad as the EADT site.
1

Gforce added 16:14 - Jul 27 Hackney and Brownhill, now that would be a good summer window.
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woodster added 16:18 - Jul 27 Looks like the next Declan Rice..?
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DavoIPB added 16:20 - Jul 27 Here we go over priced players playing in England. Decent player from the looks of things bit we have to be very confident of getting promotion to pay that much for a championship player.
2

herfie added 16:56 - Jul 27 Everton reportedly in the hunt. Lure of Pship football might sway player’s decision; depending on prospects of being a guaranteed starter. McBurney? Doubt he fits the profile.
1

bluesissy added 17:40 - Jul 27 Mcburnie...mc off...no thanks.
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planetblue_2011 added 17:46 - Jul 27 Don’t know much about Hackney and is he worth 20m is the question!! A few on here saying Kieffer Moore I’m good with that. Done well to help us up. COYB’S
1

baxter041120 added 19:02 - Jul 27 I don’t no much about the player however I can say Ino that broadhead is 100 percent going, inside information can’t say how as get people in trouble and I’m not click bait which I think is shame as his good player for us. Hutch I’ve heard is refusing to play in first team since transfer spec but not 100 percent true on that but the middle borough pkayer has played in England team with hutch and philogen and seems decent I’m sure he won’t be only player to come through door they let moray have his week of leaving and next week we will be getting 2 people I’ve heard let’s see if correct before comment. I have inside info from two sources very realible one related to McKenna family and one head of itfc so let’s see

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carlisleaway added 19:09 - Jul 27 Ripped off twice last season, surely not again
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PimsNumber1 added 20:40 - Jul 27 Not worth 20m ...and certainly not worth 35k a week ...probably make him our highest paid player ( relegation clauses) for a champ player .We have learnt nothing on transfers
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