With the January transfer window now closed, attention will soon turn to the summer window to see what Eddie Howe, Ross Wilson and the recruitment team have planned to bolster the squad after what’s been a difficult 2025/26 so far.

A lot of our transfer activity will centre around future-proofing our midfield, with a host of young talents being linked like AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit, and Joe Willock facing an uncertain future on Tyneside.

And it looks like our scouting efforts for our next young midfielder aren’t limited to just the continent, as a new report claims we have one of the Championship’s top prospects on our radar…

Boro star one to watch?

According to The Chronicle’s Lee Ryder, Newcastle have joined the growing-list of Premier League clubs interested in signing Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.

The 23-year-old, originally from Redcar, has played a big role in Middlesbrough’s promotion push this campaign, and has been slapped with a £30m price tag as a result.

Ryder reveals that Newcastle have admired Hackney for some time, and recently sent a senior scout to watch him at the Riverside, where he’s shone this season in their bid for automatic promotion back to the Premier League.

But we face some stiff competition for his signature, as each of Manchester United, Spurs and Everton are also said to be big fans of the former England Under-21 talent.

It was under current Manchester United manager Michael Carrick that Hackney burst onto the Championship scene, so we could face an uphill battle to stop Carrick and Hackney reuniting at Old Trafford, should the Red Devils pursue a deal.

Willock sale integral to activity?

Eddie Howe has stressed that he needs at least six central midfield options to choose from: a six that includes Joe Willock, the only player who can we realistically sell from the midfield between now and the start of next season.

With Sandro Tonali still seen as the squad’s crown jewel, and Lewis Miley destined for huge things here at the club, the next couple of seasons will present a perfect opportunity for another midfielder to cement themselves as the third choice midfielder ahead of Willock and Jacob Ramsey.

However, for as long as Willock, and to an extent Ramsey remain on the books, we could find ourselves in another situation where players may be less willing to join us given the intense competition places.

After his goal against PSG, Howe looks to have fully factored Willock back into his plans for the rest of the season, so we shouldn’t expect much in the way of huge midfield signings and plans until the summer once Willock’s future is clarified and his position in the squad better established.