Crystal Palace’s pursuit of Hayden Hackney has gained a sharper edge after Middlesbrough’s stance around David Ozoh entered the conversation.
TransferFeed’s latest summary reports that Palace retain strong interest in the Middlesbrough midfielder, with Boro demanding around £25 million and potentially using their admiration for Ozoh as part of the negotiation.
Everton and Crystal Palace told Hayden Hackney fee as Middlesbrough play transfer hardball | #Boro
— Gazette Boro (@GazetteBoro) June 2026
Hayden Hackney Price Turns Ozoh Into A Real Lever
That matters because Palace’s midfield plan under Pierre Sage cannot simply be framed as adding another body. The Guardian reported when Sage arrived that Palace were targeting midfield reinforcement, while ReadCrystalPalace has already covered why Adam Wharton remains central to the summer picture.
Hackney would give Sage a progressive Championship-proven midfielder who can receive under pressure and move play quickly through the thirds. But if Middlesbrough want Ozoh involved, Palace have to judge whether that weakens their own depth at exactly the point Europe is stretching the squad.
The cleanest answer is not necessarily walking away. It is discipline. Palace can value Hackney highly without letting Boro dictate a structure that removes a young midfielder Sage may yet need.
This is now less about interest and more about control.
