According to TEAMtalk, Bournemouth has conducted scouting and analysis on Hayden Hackney in recent months. Hackney is a 23-year-old English defensive midfielder. Other clubs, including Brentford, Everton, Fulham, Crystal Palace, and Brighton, have also done so. It is understood that several clubs are closely monitoring developments regarding the midfielder, whose contract situation is entering a crucial phase. He has 12 months left on his current contract with Middlesbrough. The failure of the Championship club to gain promotion has led to increased scrutiny of his future. TEAMtalk understands that Middlesbrough will ask for a fee of approximately £25 million. Separately, sources have acknowledged that the club considers Bournemouth's 2023 acquisition of Alex Scott to be a benchmark for negotiations. Hackney has earned 13 caps and scored one goal for the England U21 team. In August 2025, a bid of £20 million (€24 million) from Ipswich Town, which was widely reported, was accepted by Middlesbrough. However, the player rejected the move.