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.

Photo: MI News via Reuters Connect

BlueWax added 20:32 - Jul 31 Two signings tom'w.
1

runningout added 20:38 - Jul 31 He’s had longer than 3 days to mull over it. Forget it I say
2

BurleysGloryDays added 20:46 - Jul 31 Not looking great, seems reluctant to leave his boyhood club to stay in the same league. Understand why he’d want to take time to assess. What he doesn’t know is, this is genuinely a perfect club for him to join. Boro are a big club no question, but so are Town - and our trajectory is great, and our environment is exceptional for young players. And he’s being persuaded by the best manager around. If he doesn’t want to come after all that, c’est la vie. But I really hope he does. We need each other!

4

WhoisJimmyJuan added 20:54 - Jul 31 Well, look on the bright side: if he doesn't sign for us at least there'll be something to panic over
4

ITFCkyle1878 added 20:58 - Jul 31 There’s just been no confirmation he was actually here today, surely Phil would have said if he was? Loads of rumours to say he is but nothing concrete. How long do we give HH before we walk away? This time in 8 days, it’ll be HT at Birmingham…
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1987TractorBoy added 21:09 - Jul 31 Some fans being a little hot headed with him making his decision (which is fair for him to think for a bit since Prem teams have been linked). The club are highly unlikely to be putting all their eggs in the Hackney basket and will be working behind the scenes with other potential players as back up options if he doesn't come. Stay calm everyone
1

tetchris added 21:11 - Jul 31 He’s a young lad who has lived in the north his whole life and this move will take him a long way down south. Somewhere like Everton for example wouldn’t be as bad for him as he could easily still see his family and friends etc. We also have to consider his girlfriend if he has one and whether she is prepared to move down south with him or if she wants to stay in the north east.

2

BobbyBell added 21:14 - Jul 31 Didn't MA once say that we will only sign players who want to come here? I'd love to see it but either he or his agent are hanging on for something better and that doesn't suggest that he's all that keen to come here. If we're a backup choice will his heart really be in it or will he always be wanting something better?
2

ThatMuhrenCross added 21:16 - Jul 31 He doesn't fancy it. Bid was accepted 2 days ago. He's biding his time for a Prem offer that isn't coming. Leave him at Middlesbrough and let him waste a promising career.
1

Pessimistic added 21:18 - Jul 31 If he does not sign within the next 24 hours, then we should move on because his heart is not in it. We should go for Josh Brownhill instead, before the big fish start swimming around.
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Jewell_in_the_Town added 21:36 - Jul 31 Let's go back for Flynn Downes
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BurleysGloryDays added 21:46 - Jul 31 Jewell it’s a good shout and I’m sure they’re trying. Don’t think Southampton will sell to us, and especially with Dibling looking like he’ll get swooped by a prem team We definitely need a Morsy++ replacement in or I do worry for this season a bit.
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churchmans added 21:56 - Jul 31 Flynn downes would be a top draw signing along side hackney(who has undergone a medical this morning)he just has to say yes! Im easy with it all! Because we are ipswich and ultimately our club is our club regardless of whoever comes in or goes! Club is rebuilding again and i know for a fact they have a list of decent players in mind
1

Broadbent23 added 21:59 - Jul 31 This is North/South decision. HH needs to speak to George Edmundson now at Middlesbrough. Town have a history in enticing Northern talent. Even if he commits, he is guaranteed a first team place. He gets a fee for signing for Town and then with promotion another Premier side come knocking again and he secures another bumper fee. Otherwise waiting for a Prem team he could end up being a squad player with only a few games. Please HH choose Town.

1

virginblue added 22:08 - Jul 31 Usual comedy comments to transfer stories on here. Everyone thinks it’s simple and that everyone should be desperate to play for us. That’s not how it works.
4

ArnieM added 22:11 - Jul 31 Flynn Downes has no interest in signing for Ipswich, and doesnt want to play for this club. Why do people persist with this nonsense of trying to re sign him?
12

Lukeybluey added 22:41 - Jul 31 Football manager and Fifa is different to real life... I love the town like pretty much everyone here, but to us it's like if you were to work at Tescos, and then get offered the same role at Sainsburys for a bit of a bump up in pay with a good chance of getting 100x your current pay in a years time, but you have also heard on the grapevine that Waitrose and M&S are possibly interested and they'll offer you 100x your current wage this year.. You'd bide your time I'd think.. Like most people, it's just a job to most of these guys, that's not to say they don't enjoy their time with the club when here and they finish.. like some regular workers do when they spend years and years somewhere..

3

Benji1611 added 22:43 - Jul 31 Have some patience, he's got every right to hold out for a Prem team and to make sure the contract works for him, as you know you'd do for yourself. Plus, our team is already far better than the one that got us 2nd in a league which was far more competitive than the one we're going into. If Hackney joins and we get a backup striker for Hirst, we have Humphreys and Taylor who will do fine for cover, plus Barbrook's in the scene too. We'll be fine.

3

blueboy1981 added 23:03 - Jul 31 When will people get into their Heads that Flynn Downes didn’t want to be at the Club, and doesn’t want to be.now ! I am amazed at the Naivety of some posters, I can only assume many posts are from Kids these days, another section who even sleep with their Blue Tints on and live in Cloud Cuckoo Land, thankfully about 25% are logical, sensible, realistic supporters / fans - who live in the real world of today. All be it as it is !! Forget FLYNN DOWNES - he, like a few others wanted OUT !! Get it ??

1

Dozzells_Bobblehat added 23:26 - Jul 31 Bid accepted Tues and he's down here on Thurs and people saying he's taking too long ?! Please shut up. Blueboy , thanks for stating the bleeding obvious.
2

armchaircritic59 added 00:17 - Aug 1 I have no problem with any footballer trying to get what they think is best for them, but stringing along one or more clubs while doing so, is not the way to do it. I've said it before, if this club isn't first option then I personally wouldn't be interested if it was my hands on the rudder, whoever he was. In this case it appears we are the only club in the ballpark, so it's us or his hometown club, as long as the decision comes before next week, I'd give HH a pass whatever he decided.

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KiwiTractor added 04:42 - Aug 1 I've read that Spurs and Everton are still interested in signing him - if true, my gut feel is that he will delay/hold out to get an offer to play in the EPL. Would love to see him at Ipswich but don't think it will happen...
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delias_cheesy_flaps added 05:15 - Aug 1 Will people please stop venting their spleen over every alleged transfer. Contracts take time to finalise (that's my job) and if it happens, it happens....no amount of whinging is going to make the slightest bit of difference!
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BangaloreBlues added 07:41 - Aug 1 I said this in another post - he doesn't seem thrilled about coming here, which would concern me about his desire on the pitch. A lot of players they say it was a no brainer coming here, or they can't wait to get started, or they will do their very best on the pitch. This guy seems to be holding out for a "better" club, so this is not an ideal situation.
2

Rimsy added 07:49 - Aug 1 Look, like most things it's down to money. If he holds out for a pl club he would most likely have limited game time, a bench warmer at best. But he'd be set for life financially. Now for football reasons it makes more sense to come here, be coached by McK, play more or less every game and progress to the l that way. Most would follow the money given the opportunity.
2

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