(Credit: Breaking Media)

Jacob Raw

Sat 28 March 2026 8:10, UK

Leeds United will be interested to see how Middlesbrough end their season, with Hayden Hackney among their list of summer options.

The Boro skipper has led the Teessiders in their Championship promotion race this season, where they now find themselves second with seven games to go.

Hackney has been in the conversation for the Player of the Season award, chipping in with goals and assists, but there is an acceptance at Boro that he will be allowed to leave in the summer, should the club fail to achieve promotion.

However, the 49ers may be grinning at the moment, with the midfielder currently out with a calf injury ahead of Boro’s top-of-the-table clash against Millwall after the international break.

Kim Hellberg’s side are winless in their last three, and Leeds could smell an opportunity with Hackney soon.

Why Leeds are in pole position for cut-price Hayden Hackney deal

Though Hackney will be allowed to leave if Boro stay in the Championship, it’s not yet known whether he would make a move if he were to help his hometown club reach the promised land once again.

After failing to win in their last four home matches, Hellberg’s side are starting to lose serious ground in the promotion race.

Leeds are aware of Hackney’s qualities and how he will most likely demand a fee in excess of £20million.

However, in the event that Boro fail to go up, the 23-year-old would most likely be available for a much lower price than what he would go for if the Teessiders gained promotion.

As highlighted in the graphic above, Hackney’s average Sofascore rating of 7.24 represents his importance to Middlesbrough.

The longer he is out for, the less chance Boro have of promotion, which gives Leeds all the more opportunity to make a deal happen.

What’s been said about Hackney’s injury?

The Whites have their own aims to stay in the Premier League with seven games to go, but as of right now, Daniel Farke is confident that they can do it.

Leeds have seen mixed success with their midfield this season, and clearly think they could strengthen their prospects in the top-flight by adding Hackney to their ranks.

Speaking before Middlesbrough’s most recent game against Blackburn Rovers, Boro boss Hellberg admitted that he doesn’t know when his star player will be back.

Hellberg said, as quoted by The Northern Echo: “To be honest, I don’t really have a clue whether it’s one week more or two weeks more before they [Hackney] are ready to go. I don’t know.”

So it doesn’t seem to be too serious, but let’s just hope that he’s out for that little bit longer, so that Leeds can offer him the luxury of Premier League football this summer.