Exclusive: "Massive dent" - Sky pundit drops Hayden Hackney, Middlesbrough claim amid Ipswich Town return | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has been speaking exclusively with FLW regarding the situation surrounding Ipswich Town's interest in Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney.

Ipswich Town are once more eyeing up a move for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.

Football League World exclusively revealed this week that Kieran McKenna and Co. have reignited their interest in the 23-year-old, despite him turning the Tractor Boys down earlier this summer.

Ipswich and Boro previously agreed a £20 million would-be Championship-record fee for Hackney’s services, but the Suffolk outfit were unable to convince the Boro academy graduate to join them, even after holding face-to-face talks.

This hasn’t deterred Town, who are hoping they can now tempt the midfielder into switching the Riverside for Portman Road.

Lee Hendrie weighs in on Ipswich Town's pursuit of Middlesbrough's Hayden Hackney

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, former Aston Villa midfielder and Sky Sports pundit, Lee Hendrie, believes that losing Hackney would be a huge blow for Middlesbrough.

“Ipswich are looking at some of the big players in the Championship and Hayden Hackney is one of them,” stated Hendrie.

“He’s a really good player, but I'd be very surprised if Boro would want to get rid.

“I think he's been such a key player for them over the past few seasons. You do feel that selling him interrupts what Rob Edwards is trying to produce at Middlesbrough.

“But money talks, and I’ve felt that Ipswich look a little bit light in midfield in the last few games I've watched them. He's got that steel, and he's got that goal threat as well.

“It'd be a really good signing for Ipswich, you'd feel they're showing that intent in getting back into the Premier League.

“But I think it'd be a massive, massive dent in Boro’s push to also have a good season and push for the play-offs.”

Middlesbrough will want to resolve Hayden Hackney’s situation ASAP

Having previously managed to fend off Ipswich Town earlier this summer, Boro will be well aware of Hackney’s transfer stance and where he wishes to play his football.

However, if the Tractor Boys increase their offer to an even larger amount, it will come close to a figure that Boro could regret turning down, whilst this return to negotiations could also come with an increased wage packet on offer for the player too.

If they were forced into selling the 23-year-old, it would leave Middlesbrough with just weeks to recruit a potential replacement, with that period of time growing ever smaller with each day that ticks by.

Therefore, Edwards and Co. will be desperate to reach a conclusion with both Hackney and Ipswich soon, to give them ample time to plan accordingly.

Boro would likely love to keep a player of Hackney’s quality within the squad in their pursuit of the play-offs, but could also benefit massively from receiving a huge transfer fee for his services.

Middlesbrough have signed central midfield pair Abdoulaye Kante and Sverre Nypan from Troyes and Manchester City respectively this summer though, so perhaps they already have covered themselves in the event of a Hackney sale.

No matter what the conclusion may be, the North East outfit will want to reach it as soon as possible to prevent any unfortunate consequences.