What Kaine Kesler-Hayden has said on his Aston Villa future as Middlesbrough circle | OneFootball

What Kaine Kesler-Hayden said regarding his future at Aston Villa, amid interest from Middlesbrough.

Aston Villa defender Kaine Kesler-Hayden has spoken out regarding his future, as Championship outfit Middlesbrough circle for the full-back's signature.

The 22-year-old enjoyed an excellent loan spell with Preston North End last term, where he was named the Fans Player of the Year, Players Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year.

Despite this exceptional spell at Deepdale, Kesler-Hayden isn't thought to have a future at Villa Park, and could be allowed to leave on a permanent deal this summer, to allow for him to continue his development.

Coventry City were one of the clubs linked with a move for the defender last month, as a potential replacement for the highly sought-after Milan Van Ewijk. However, everything on this front has gone quiet in recent weeks.

Boro currently have just one senior right-back on the books in Luke Ayling, and it's been reported that Kesler-Hayden is a target of the Teesside outfit in the summer transfer window.

What Kaine Kesler-Hayden said about his future at Aston Villa

Coming off the back of an excellent season with Preston, Kesler-Hayden has plenty of interest from other Championship clubs as his future at Aston Villa remains unclear.

The 22-year-old was quizzed on his future in the Midlands back in May, revealing his current situation at the club where he came through the academy.

As per a report from The Northern Echo, the Villa youngster said: "I think it depends. If I was coming to the end of my contract there [at Villa], then I'd probably have more say.

"But the reality is I'm not. So while you're in the contract, obviously there's not too much that I can do and it's just up to them on my future and what that holds. We'll see."

Kesler-Hayden is contracted at Villa Park until 2028, after extending his contract which was due to expire in 2026 last summer, meaning any club wanting to sign him will have to pay a pretty penny.

Boro waiting for the appointment of a new head coach for Kesler-Hayden decision

Whilst transfers will be high on the priority list for Middlesbrough, the top priority is certainly finding a new head coach to succeed Michael Carrick, following his sacking at the end of the season.

According to the report by The Northern Echo, the Boro recruitment team is keeping an open mind on many potential targets this summer until the club appoints their next head coach.

With the transfer window reopening on June 16th, following a week when the window shut to accommodate player registration for the Club World Cup, not having a head coach could well cause the Teesside outfit to miss out on a potential signing such as Kesler-Hayden.

However, with no movement from any of the clubs said to be rivaling Middlesbrough to the signing of the 22-year-old, they will be hopeful that they can win the race to secure his services.