According to Football Insider, Mick Brown has revealed that Middlesbrough's 23-year-old English and Scottish midfielder, Hayden Hackney, has become a target for Newcastle as manager Eddie Howe seeks to improve his midfield depth. It was also reported that Brown stated he has been told many clubs have been monitoring the player and that Newcastle is now one of them. It is not yet clear whether Newcastle will pursue a deal in January or next summer, and they could face competition to sign him, with Tottenham also reportedly interested. Hackney's contract at Middlesbrough runs until June 2027, and according to Transfermarkt, he has a current market value of €20.00m. So far in the 2025/2026 season, he has made 13 appearances in the Championship, scoring 2 goals and providing 2 assists.