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

ImAbeliever added 08:39 - Aug 1 FD - spot on ArnieM HH - whatever the outcome, it will be the right one.
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ValleyBoyBlue added 09:08 - Aug 1 Right . Where's Ed. Time to play the Sheeran card
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mathiemagic added 09:32 - Aug 1 Cant hang about over this one, either you want the switch or you dont. Too late in the day to be pi55ing about.
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Gazelle added 09:39 - Aug 1 Do we want to sign a bloke who can’t make up his mind if he wants to come or not.
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BeattiesBackPocket added 09:58 - Aug 1 Jas0999 again why are you talking about the midfield against Charlton?? We played a second string side and two kids in the middle nothing like how we will start at all.
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SickParrot added 10:15 - Aug 1 If he does sign for us it's unlikely to be before the end of the transfer window because he will understandably want to wait to see if a Premier club matches our bid.
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ITFCson added 10:35 - Aug 1 You can hardly have a go at a player for taking his time to decide on the next step of his future. People for some reason seem take it so personally when someone takes a little while to decide what is best for their career.
3

FreddySteady added 10:53 - Aug 1 Rumours on the good ol’ internet via the Tractor Boys that we’ve approached Napoli again to loan Cajuste.
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wischip added 11:48 - Aug 1 Having Chappers and Hackers in the same team sounds right.
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BlueMoolay added 12:05 - Aug 1 Regrettably, I think he'll go to Man Utd. Would love him here but what would you do.?
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del45 added 12:31 - Aug 1 Why not wait and see and stop guessing you will be told in time.
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BlueMoolay added 12:54 - Aug 1 God del...you are boring.
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Alphawhiskey added 13:29 - Aug 1 Remember what M Ashton told us. We will know when we know, don't believe all the rumours, gossips and tinternet rubbish. Trust the process.
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TimmyH added 13:50 - Aug 1 He's waiting for a Premier league club to come in for him so he can warm the bench up most weekends...
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Linkboy13 added 16:23 - Aug 1 At 23years of age cannot blame him for wanting to play in the Sky league sorry Premier especially if he has future ambitions of getting into the full England squad. Don't know why people are moaning about the lack of signings it's always a slow precarious procedure every season at every club. Contracts are notoriously difficult to sort out not helped by money grabbing agents. Fans get very excited when they hear about a potential signing even if they don't know anything about him they want him through the door next day. There will be two more players coming in before next week's kick off im sure and two departures unfortunately.

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IpswichT62OldBoy added 20:48 - Aug 1 He has gone to Leeds. I think he would have done better with us. They will be straight back down.
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oldelsworthyfan added 09:34 - Aug 2 Leeds unaware that they are even interested!. Man U and Everton both hovering over making a bid (needing bench warmers). Either club would be a mistake for Hackney (they can't guarantee him game time like ITFC can).
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