Hellberg believes Hackney wants to stay at Boro

"He's very important, of course. He's a top player and person. In every aspect of the game he's good, defensively and offensively,"

"I like him very much and if I had to decide I would say he's not for sale, but it will not come down to me. I think he wants to stay here. You can see him being very happy with how it works, so hopefully he's with us this year and further on."

"So easily you could think about other things when you get those clubs that are after you - and they should be after him, because he's a top player, I think he'd be able to play for a lot of Premier League teams and do good, that's how good he is."

Hayden Hackney wants to remain at Middlesbrough and is expected to stay with the club this season. Manchester United, Tottenham and Everton have been linked with the 23-year-old midfielder. A move to Manchester United would reunite Hackney with Michael Carrick at Old Trafford. Hackney has made 29 appearances this season and 142 appearances in all competitions since his debut in early 2021. Middlesbrough regard him as a top player who is strong defensively and offensively and would prefer not to sell if the decision were theirs. Clubs should be pursuing him given his Premier League capability.

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