Nottingham Forest are keen to sign Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough during the January transfer window.
The Reds are now hot on the player and watched him in action last week for the England Under-21s.
Hackney is a product of the Boro academy ranks but they could be willing to cash in when the window reopens.
Forest hot on Hackney signing
Hackney typically operates as a defensive midfielder and Forest are now extremely keen to sign him.
According to The Sun, the Reds sent their scouting team to watch the player last week on England under-21 duty.
Forest-linked Hackney played well as Northern Ireland were beaten by England at Goodison Park last week.
Ross Wilson has been a big admirer of the player and has now stepped up the club’s interest in the youngster.
Who is Hayden Hackney?
The talented performer has risen through the academy ranks at the Riverside Stadium and has a burgeoning reputation.
Michael Carrick has considered him a regular in the team this season and he’s called him ‘terrific’ for his efforts in the past.
The player has made 20 appearances this season, helping the club reach the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup.
He’s established himself in the team under Carrick and now Forest are keen to land Hackney when the window opens.
Forest will see Hackney as future star
It’s hard to see where another defensive midfielder fits into the current Forest team.
Ibrahim Sangare was added to the ranks during the summer, with Nicolas Dominguez and Orel Mangala boasting similar qualities.
As a result, Hackney would likely come to Forest as a backup option, with one eye placed firmly on the future.
It’s nice to see Forest looking at starlets from the EFL though.
There are a lot of hidden gems in that division and not every signing the club makes has to be a big-money addition from overseas.
Hackney is a burgeoning talent and clearly, Wilson fancies him as a player who can come in and do a job for Forest.
Receive a digest of our best Nottingham Forest content each week direct to your mailbox
