Exclusive: Sky pundit reacts to "big-money" Ipswich Town, Middlesbrough news involving Hackney | OneFootball

Lee Hendrie has spoken to FLW about Ipswich Town’s summer interest in Hayden Hackney.

Sky Sports pundit Lee Hendrie has backed Ipswich Town to complete a summer swoop for Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney, insisting the midfielder can “kick on” if he moves to Portman Road.

The Tractor Boys are currently in the process of completing preparations for their return to the Championship.

The Suffolk-based outfit travel to the West Midlands to face Birmingham City on the 8th August, knowing that they will be expected to leapfrog straight back to the Premier League due to the superior financial resources that they possess compared to the majority of the division.

Recently, Ipswich have been touted to bolster their midfield line before their second-tier curtain-raiser, with the club believed to be offering a remarkable deal to Hayden Hackney, as per Teesside Live, which involves a £20 million fee and a £35k-a-week contract.

With this in mind, pundit Lee Hendrie has weighed in with his thoughts over whether Ipswich are making the right move.

Lee Hendrie backs Hayden Hackney to thrive at Ipswich Town

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, former Aston Villa midfielder Lee Hendrie believes Hayden Hackney will be able to “kick on” in his career if he joins Ipswich Town, admitting he has “led by example” at the Riverside Stadium.

Hendrie said: “I think it’s a big-money move for Hayden Hackney, £20 million plus those kind of wages, then you’re talking about a big number of wages and fee in the Championship.

“He’s a very good player and I think what’s stood out with him is that he’s led by example, he’s still a young man and very likeable.

“When you’re looking at the likes of £20 million, it’s a lot of money, but I think there are bags of potential in him.

“The wages are the wages. I think that’s where the game is going, as when you’re going for £20 million, you expect to be on those sort of wages.

“You would say it’s a big money-move for Ipswich, but I think a potential one that could hand them something a lot better in the future as I think he can kick on.”

Ipswich Town correct to address the midfield area

If there’s one area Ipswich Town need to bolster, it’s the midfield department.

The likes of Massimo Luongo and Sam Morsy have waved goodbye to Portman Road, leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the park.

The addition of Hackney would be an excellent one. The 23-year-old played a starring role last season for Boro and is making significant strides in his career to becoming a top-class player.

A move to Ipswich could be the place to see him progress even further and help contribute to a team that has ambitions of getting back into the Premier League.

From Middlesbrough’s point of view, they will be extremely disappointed if they lose one of their star players to a Championship rival, who could possibly help hinder their own promotion chances under Rob Edwards.