- Newcastle United in transfer race for Middlesbrough player
- Hayden Hackney could cost just £20 million
- Boro star could be perfect Sandro Tonali replacement
Newcastle United are wasting no time with investments off the pitch this summer, with over £55 million of spending confirmed this week. The club must be equally proactive when it comes to replacing first team stars.
The Magpies have learned the consequences of poor recruitment the hard way this season. Eddie Howe saw talisman Alexander Isak leave the club for Liverpool a year ago and the majority of the £130 million banked was splurged on Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.
Both of those strikers have struggled to hit the ground running on Tyneside with ex Sheffield United man William Osula now looking the most likely to lead the line next season.
Should Sandro Tonali exit the club come the end of the campaign, Newcastle must do better in finding his replacement. Luckily, the Magpies seem to be on the right track.
Newcastle United ‘join race’ for Hayden Hackney
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Football Insider reports that Newcastle have ‘joined the race’ for Middlesbrough talent Hayden Hackney, who is also wanted by Manchester United.
The 23-year-old has had a purring Championship campaign, turning heads across his 38 appearances – with one more (possibly) set to come on Saturday afternoon in the play-off final against Hull City.
Hackney looks the real deal. The midfielder is composed on the ball and a real box-to-box piece of dynamite. The Boro man is equally capable of breaking up opposition attacks as he is of producing a moment of creativity to set up a goal.
Football Insider claims that, should Kim Helberg’s side fail to reach the top flight, Hackney’s departure from the Riverside Stadium is ‘almost inevitable’. Brighton are also said to be monitoring the player, who could be available for just £20 million.
Speaking about the player in March, in words which should spur the Magpies into action, Helberg said: “He is getting better all the time.
“I think he gets better every day, and understands more and more about how we work, and the spaces for him.
“And then, of course, the quality he has is unbelievable to work with. The quality he has as a player is unbelievable. The way he drives with the ball… He’s working on his finishing, and that we have seen with some brilliant finishes.
“Norwich at home and this one is two beautiful goals. He also has the first chance in the first half, so he’s unbelievable to work with. He’s a pleasure and such a great guy for us to work with.
“He’s a top player. He has everything and he will end up in the Premier League someday, and hopefully with us. Top, top player.”
Middlesbrough star could be perfect Sandro Tonali replacement
In many ways, Hackney’s profile is similar to that of Tonali’s. The Boro midfielder feels a like-for-like replacement and, at 23 years old, largely fits the club’s new drive to recruit players yet to reach their full potential.
With Arsenal now confirmed to have won the Premier League, CaughtOffside claim that the Gunners are looking at making Tonali their first major signing of the summer.
It’s certainly a move that feels feasible. Newcastle must sell before they buy and Tonali is set to fetch a minimum of £70 million, which would fund a move for Hackney and others.
Arsenal will also appeal to Tonali who, according to his agent, has his heart set on Champions League football next term. Earlier this year, when asked about links to the Emirates Stadium and Champions League clubs, Pepe Rizzo said: “Exactly, that was the aim, and it’s only natural that he’s on their radar; he’s performing extremely well.
“That was the aim and the vision when we made the decision to move to Newcastle, for Sandro to become an exceptional player and the most valuable Italian player.”
In other news, No Europe for Newcastle United might just work in their favour.
