Middlesbrough deadline day round-up: PL club tables Hayden Hackney offer
The latest Middlesbrough headlines as the transfer deadline approaches.
The transfer deadline is almost here, and clubs are now scrambling to get deals over the line. But where do Middlesbrough stand?
There are still question marks around the Riverside Stadium, especially since Sverre Nypan’s loan from Manchester City was mutually terminated. So, here are the latest Middlesbrough headlines as we enter the final few hours of the window.
Boro reject Hayden Hackney bid
A day hasn’t gone by over the last six months where Boro fans haven’t worried about the possibility of losing Hayden Hackney. The England youth international is arguably the best player in the Championship right now, and his form has been key to this season’s promotion push, firing Kim Hellberg’s side to second, now five points clear of third. But that form has also attracted serious attention from the Premier League, and it’s now emerged that Nottingham Forest lodged a bid for the Boro vice-captain on the morning of deadline day.
Sky Sports’ Keith Downie reported that Boro have rejected that offer, with it seemingly clear that the club intend to keep hold of their prized asset at least until the end of the season and, hopefully, as they head back into the Premier League. Hackney has 18 months left on his current contract at the Riverside.
Boro set to miss out on Joe Rothwell
Whether a potential replacement should they eventually sell Hackney or another body through the door to help seal promotion, Boro have been linked with midfielder Joe Rothwell throughout January. The former Bournemouth man has made 20 appearances for Rangers across all competitions this season, but has found himself frozen out recently, playing just 19 minutes since mid-October, while being an unused substitute on four occasions during that time.
It’s thought Rothwell is now targeting a return to the Championship, but despite interest from Boro, Derby County and Stoke City, The Star have revealed Sheffield United are now closing in on the signing of the 31-year-old, with his medical already underway. Rothwell has 204 Championship appearances under his belt to date and most recently helped Leeds United seal promotion to the Premier League before moving to Ibrox last summer.
Targett to remain at Riverside Stadium
Matt Targett has been one of the stars of Boro’s campaign so far, registering two goals and three assists in 27 Championship appearances, while sitting first among his teammates for big chances created (7) and second for interceptions per 90 minutes (1.3).
However, given he’s on loan from Newcastle United, there is always the lingering fear that Targett could return to St. James’ Park at any moment. Those fears were ramped up recently amid Newcastle’s ongoing injury crisis, with Eddie Howe even admitting recently that he’ll keep the option of recalling Targett open ‘until the end of the window’.
Thankfully, the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope has now confirmed that Newcastle won’t be recalling the left-back, who will remain at the Riverside until the end of the season at least. Targett’s Newcastle contract expires this summer, and given the critical role he’s played in Middlesbrough’s season so far, the hope is that he’ll choose to remain in red for the 2026/27 campaign.
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