Ray Parlour issues Tottenham transfer warning to Middlesbrough and Hayden Hackney | OneFootball

Middlesbrough will have to keep their talented young prospects such as Hayden Hackney if they want to progress, according to Ray Parlour, who has been giving his verdict on the midfielder's links with a move to Tottenham.

Hackney has come through the youth ranks at Boro, and even at 21 years old, is now becoming a key figure at The Riverside Stadium when fit and available.

In total, the midfielder has made 69 appearances in all competitions for Middlesbrough, scoring five goals and providing six assists in that time.

That form in the centre of the park has already seen Hackney linked with a move to the Premier League, which is now proving something of a talking point.

Ray Parlour gives thoughts on Hayden Hackney Tottenham links

With Hackney having impressed considerably since breaking into the first team at Middlesbrough, he is now attracting interest from the top flight of English football.

A recent report from The Northern Echo has claimed that the midfielder is attracting interest from Tottenham ahead of the summer transfer window.

Parlour believes that Middlesbrough need to be looking to retain the services of Hackney for themselves if they want to progress as a club.

However, he has suggested that if Boro do not secure a return to the Premier League, then there is a likelihood that top-flight teams will look to sign the likes of Hackney.

He has also warned the midfielder himself that if he is to make the move to the Premier League this summer, there is a risk that such a transfer will not work out.

When asked for his thoughts on Tottenham's links with Hackney, the former Arsenal and Middlesbrough midfielder told Football League World, via NetBet Casino: “You have to keep your top young talent if you want to progress. You’ve seen some of the young talent move to Premier League clubs and it not work out.

“It’s proving yourself at Championship level for a number of seasons and if you are not promoted in that team by then, the Premier League will come calling with a move for you.”

As things stand, there are still three years remaining on Hackney's contract with Middlesbrough, securing his future at The Riverside Stadium until the end of the 2026/27 season.

That does ensure that the club are in a strong position to respond to any offers that come in for the midfielder this summer.

Last season saw Middlesbrough finish eighth in the Championship table, four points adrift of the play-off places.

Middlesbrough must look to keep Hayden Hackney

It does seem as though keeping Hackney will be vital for Boro when it comes to their prospects going forward.

The midfielder is already becoming a key part of their first-team setup, and at 21 years old, there is also plenty of time to continue to improve and develop his game.

That means he can become an even bigger asset for Middlesbrough if he remains at the club long-term, which means he may be vital to their hopes of winning promotion in the near future.

Indeed, with three years remaining on his contract at The Riverside Stadium, there is no need for Boro to sell him this summer either.

It would be a big statement of intent from the club if they keep Hackney this summer, similar to the one they recently made with a new deal - also until 2027 - for manager Michael Carrick.

There is of course, also a risk that things would not work out for the midfielder if he made the move to Spurs, as has been the case for others they have taken from the Championship, such as Jack Clarke, in recent times.

With that in mind, it may well be important for the good of both the club and player, that Hackney remains at Middlesbrough beyond this summer's transfer window.