Time is of the essence for Wolves in the summer transfer window, and currently, their problems are being exposed in pre-season.
Wolves have played four friendlies so far and are yet to taste a victory, most recently losing 3-1 to RC Lens on Wednesday evening.
During that match, Wolves’ lack of midfield depth was exposed, as Vitor Pereira fielded a midfield duo of Tawanda Chirewa and Marshall Munetsi from the 60th minute onwards.
Chirewa spent the second half of last season on loan at Huddersfield Town in League One and isn’t good enough for the Premier League, while Munetsi is normally used as a wide forward.
With Tommy Doyle and Boubacar Traore departing on loan, the need to sign a central midfielder is more pressing than ever, as any injury to Andre or Joao Gomes would be detrimental.
Wolves should hijack Ipswich Town’s move for Hayden Hackney
Wolves have faced issues in signing a midfielder. Everyone knows that Andre and Gomes are nailed on to start, and anyone coming into the club would be utilised as a backup option.
But, with the prospect of that duo missing games across the season, it would be catastrophic if they went into the 2025/26 campaign without signing someone.
Naturally, Wolves don’t want to splash the cash on someone not guaranteed to start, but the defeat to Lens suggested they need to sign someone with genuine quality.
That is why the Wanderers must show some ambition and hijack Ipswich Town’s move for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.
Ipswich saw a bid of £15 million (rising to £20 million with add-ons) accepted earlier this week, and it is now down to the player whether he chooses to join the Championship side or hold out for a Premier League move.
Wolves should match that bid and offer the player Premier League football. Hackney was outstanding in the second tier last term and would be perfect for what Wolves need in the middle of the park, offering exceptional ball-carrying skills and an excellent passing range.
The 23-year-old, who recently won the Euro under-21 Championship with England, scored five and assisted three in the Championship last term.
Hackney has shown he’s ready for the step up and would offer strong competition for Gomes and Andre in the engine room.
Hackney’s Middlesbrough stats in 2024/25
For £20m, Wolves know there’s a high chance the Boro star would sell for more than that price in the future, making him a smart investment.
Encouragingly, his statistics from the 2024/25 Championship also suggest he’s too good for the second tier.
Hayden Hackney’s Middlesbrough stats 2024/25
- 43 appearances
- 5 goals
- 3 assists
- 9 big chances created
- 1.5 key passes per game
- 2.2 tackles per game
- 6.5 balls recovered per game
- 5.96 expected assists
- 85% accurate passes
As an incredible ball-playing midfielder, Hackney would fill a huge void in the middle of the park and someone who can play when Gomes or Andre are tired.