Nottingham Forest sent scout to watch 'terrific' 21-year-old last week, West Ham also keen

Nottingham Forest chief scout Chris Brass was in attendance to watch Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney in the Championship last week.

This comes courtesy of The Sun.

So, what has been said about Forest and the interest in Hackney? Let’s take a closer look…

Forest send Chris Brass to watch Hayden Hackney

Well, this transfer rumour feels like one that just simply won’t go away from a Forest perspective.

The Reds have been linked with the Middlesbrough sensation for the last couple of transfer windows.

Now, according to The Sun, it would appear that the Reds aren’t alone in this race, with West Ham also in attendance last week.

Forest are keen to bring Hackney to the City Ground and it would perhaps represent a positive step.

The Boro youngster is only 21-years-old and he’s made 28 appearances for the Championship outfit this season.

Michael Carrick has been seriously impressed with Forest-linked Hackney, calling him ‘terrific’ during last season.

Well, this was to be expected and Forest must try and avoid relegation in the first instance before they can plot any transfer business.

Forest will continue striving to lower the average of their squad and Hackney does look like a talented player.

He can perform well as a defensive or an attacking midfielder and this season and he’s got four goal contributions.

It’s not clear at this stage how much he will set any potential suitors back but Boro do appear to be fighting a losing battle to keep him.

The fact that Brass is still going to watch Hackney suggests that Forest remain keen to monitor the player.

With clubs such as West Ham now in the race, however, it remains to be seen just how realistic this one is for Forest.