Crystal Palace want £20m Championship star as long-term Will Hughes replacement

TBR Football understand Crystal Palace are keen to sign Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough – as well as another player at the Riverside Stadium.

The south Londoners have often succeeded when dipping into the Championship for recruitment – bringing gems such as Ebere Eze, Adam Wharton and Michael Olise to the Premier League.

Dougie Freedman – Director of Football at Selhurst Park – even went back into the Championship as recently as January to sign Romain Esse from Millwall.

Now, sources have informed TBR Football that Crystal Palace are looking at England’s second tier once again, with Hayden Hackney of Middlesbrough on the radar.

Crystal Palace want Hayden Hackney

Graeme Bailey – Chief Correspondent at TBR Football – has now been informed that Crystal Palace are keen to sign the England U21 international.

The Eagles view Hackney as an ideal long-term replacement for Will Hughes, who has become a key man under Oliver Glasner across the past 12 months, although Nottingham Forest are also admirers.

TBR Football understand Crystal Palace have scouted the 22-year-old across the last two years, and now believe the Middlesbrough No.7 is ready to step up into the Premier League.

Despite receiving £22.5m from Atlanta United for Emmanuel Latte Lath in January, Middlesbrough are aware of how difficult it will be to keep Hackney this summer, with hopes of securing a play-off spot vanishing.

We understand Middlesbrough value the Redcar-born midfielder at a sum of around £20m.

Hackney – who Aston Villa have also scouted – has scored five goals and provided two assists in 30 Championship appearances so far this season.

Crystal Palace also want Rav van den Berg from Middlesbrough

Hackney is not the only player who has impressed Crystal Palace on Teesside.

TBR Football have been told the Eagles also like Rav van den Berg, a central defender who has attracted interest from Brighton and Brentford too.

However, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are also fans of the Dutchman, with sources under the impression the Bundesliga is his most likely destination.

TBR Football understand Chelsea want Marc Guehi this summer – so Van den Berg could potentially end up being a replacement for the England international in SE25.

Where to watch Crystal Palace vs. Aston Villa: Premier League time, schedule, FREE live stream

Coming off a 2-1 win over Chelsea, Aston Villa looks to continue for its push into the top four of the English Premier League. Aston Villa currently sits in eighth place, they’ll travel to Selhurst Park and take on Crystal Palace Tuesday.