Tottenham face competition from Champions League club for £25m Hayden Hackney
Tottenham Face Stiff Competition for Hayden Hackney as Bayer Leverkusen Join Race
Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of highly-rated Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney has taken a new twist, with the North London club now facing serious competition from one of Europe’s top sides. According to fresh reports, Bundesliga champions and UEFA Champions League contenders Bayer Leverkusen have entered the race for the 23-year-old, posing a significant threat to Spurs’ transfer hopes.
Rising Interest Following Boro’s Promotion Failure
It became clear that Hackney would be a hot commodity this summer once Middlesbrough failed to secure promotion to the Premier League. The midfielder has been attracting admiring glances from several top-flight clubs thanks to his consistent performances in the Championship, but it was his impressive form during England’s successful UEFA Under-21 European Championship campaign that truly elevated his profile. His maturity, technical quality, and tactical intelligence in midfield did not go unnoticed on the continental stage.
Tottenham and Palace Show Early Interest
Tottenham Hotspur have been closely monitoring Hackney’s development for some time and were recently reported to be assessing his displays at the U21 Euros. Spurs are believed to be serious about making a move for the Boro man as they look to bolster their midfield options under manager Ange Postecoglou.
However, Spurs are not alone in their admiration. Crystal Palace have also stepped up their interest in Hackney, having reportedly made concrete inquiries in recent days. Palace are understood to view him as a key target in their efforts to rebuild under Oliver Glasner, especially if they lose midfielders like Cheick Doucouré or Jefferson Lerma this summer.
Bayer Leverkusen Could Hold the Key Advantage
Despite the strong Premier League interest, it is Bayer Leverkusen’s emergence in the race that could change the landscape of this transfer battle. As per talkSPORT, the German giants have identified Hackney as a potential midfield reinforcement and are now seriously considering a formal offer.
Leverkusen are preparing for another season at the highest level of European football after their historic Bundesliga-winning campaign under Xabi Alonso, and they are keen to continue building a squad capable of competing on all fronts. The lure of regular Champions League football and the Bundesliga’s growing reputation as a platform for young English talent could be enough to sway Hackney.
The midfielder might be tempted to follow the path of stars like Jude Bellingham, Jadon Sancho, and Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, who found success and development in Germany. Moreover, a potentially decisive factor in Leverkusen’s favour is Hackney’s recent alignment with the SEG agency — the same group that represents Leverkusen’s new manager Erik ten Hag. That existing connection could give the German side a crucial advantage in negotiations.
Middlesbrough’s Valuation and the Transfer Tug-of-War
Middlesbrough are expected to demand a significant fee for one of their prized assets. Earlier reports suggested that Boro would seek around £25 million for Hackney, who still has two years left on his current contract at the Riverside Stadium.
However, there have been contrasting claims regarding the valuation. Some sources suggest that Crystal Palace believe they could secure Hackney’s signature for as little as £15 million, raising questions about Middlesbrough’s actual stance and flexibility in negotiations. It remains to be seen whether such a figure would be enough to satisfy Boro, especially with a European powerhouse now in the mix.
A Decision Looming?
With Spurs, Palace, and now Bayer Leverkusen all circling, the race for Hayden Hackney is heating up. The player will have to consider a range of factors — from immediate playing time and development opportunities to European competition and long-term career prospects.
Tottenham will need to act swiftly if they are to secure Hackney’s services ahead of the growing competition, but they must now contend with the increasingly appealing project at Leverkusen, who could offer the midfielder not just a new challenge abroad, but a fast track to the Champions League stage.