Leeds are reportedly plotting a summer transfer swoop for Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney.

According to a report from journalist Alan Nixon via his Patreon account on Sunday, Leeds are preparing to make a ‘massive’ move for Hackney.

Nixon reports that Elland Road chiefs are big admirers of the Middlesbrough midfielder, and have him earmarked as a priority signing in the summer so long as they stay in the Premier League.

It’s stated that any deal will depend upon whether Boro win promotion to the top flight or not, however, as Hackney,23, could then decide that he’s waited long enough for a shot at Premier League football.

Nixon claims that whilst Hackney does have his admirers at other clubs, few bids have tempted Boro to sell their captain, Leeds could move to the front of the queue if the circumstances align, and they have the cash too.

How much might Middlesbrough want for Hayden Hackney?

To anyone tuned into the Championship over the last few seasons, they will know that Hackney has established himself as one of, if not the best central midfielders in the division.

An ultimate box-to-box midfielder, the Boro academy graduate first broke into Middlesbrough’s first-team picture on a full-time basis in the 2022-23 season, and he hasn’t looked back since.

Hackney has been on the radar of top clubs for some time now, with the likes of Liverpool, Man United, Tottenham and Newcastle all having been linked in the past.

Interest from European clubs such as Stuttgart, Bayer Leverkusen and Porto has also been noted in recent times too, as word of his exploits on Teesside has spread across the continent.

However, he is only contracted with Middlesbrough until the summer of 2027, meaning he’ll have just 12 months left to run on his current deal come this summer.

That could force Boro into a sale if they don’t reach the promised land under Kim Hellberg this term, and may also see a reduction in his transfer value, with the Smoggies widely reported to be looking for £30million-plus.

Hackney could turn down Leeds move due to Boro allegiance

Whilst it’s not played with same venom as other rivalries, supporters of Middlesbrough and Leeds certainly aren’t fond of one another.

On the occasions when the two get together, the matches are always played with bite and passion, with both sets of fans always up for it when their respective teams clash.

And, crucially to this case, Hackney is Middlesbrough through and through, having been born in nearby Redcar and supported the Teessiders all his life.

Indeed, he even turned down what would’ve been a Championship-record move worth around £20m to Ipswich Town in this season’s summer window, opting to stay loyal to Boro instead.

Therefore, it remains to be seen whether Hackney would have any interest on a personal level to pull on the Leeds shirt, and if he does, that’s not going to go down well on Teesside at all.

For even more of the latest Leeds transfer news, head over to Football Insider.