Spurs open talks over stunning hijack for midfield maestro despite Carrick urging Wilcox to strike first – report

Tottenham Hotspur have stormed into the race for Hayden Hackney as Michael Carrick urges INEOS to target the Middlesbrough maestro, according to a new report. Midfield Rebuild The Red Devils are prioritising a major revamp in midfield this summer, with up to £150 million set to be directed towards fixing the stalling engine room. Despite a resurgent campaign, Casemiro will bring an end to his four years in Manchester this month after it was mutually decided with the club not to extend his contract. A free transfer to Inter Miami is close to being agreed. Manuel Ugarte looks set to join the 34-year-old Brazilian through the exit door, with United actively welcoming offers for the Uruguay international, who has failed to adapt to the Premier League since his £42.7 million move from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024. United’s primary targets are Elliot Anderson and Aurélien Tchouaméni, though deals for either player appear increasingly remote. Sandro Tonali, Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, Mateus Fernandes, and Alex Scott are other names under consideration. But Hackney – Middlesbrough’s 23-year-old playmaker, who first burst onto the scene under Carrick at the Riverside Stadium – is another option with many admirers at Old Trafford. However, despite his former manager championing his name, United’s hierarchy, headed by sporting director Jason Wilcox, appear to be focusing elsewhere. Spurs launch a hijack Everton are leading the race for Hackney, whose contract on Teesside expires next year, forcing Boro to reluctantly consider a sale of their talisman. Kim Hellberg’s side faced heartbreak in the final of the Championship play-offs, losing 1-0 in the last minute to Hull City at Wembley. Had they been promoted, their ability to ward off interest in Hackney would have been significantly stronger. However, the Redcar native is too talented not to be plying his trade in the Premier League, having been crowned the Championship’s Player of the Season after a stellar campaign, though Boro will not let him go cheap. The North East side rejected Everton’s opening offer, despite Hackney signalling a switch to Merseyside is his preference. But Spurs, ready to splash the cash after almost dropping into the Championship themselves, have launched a hijack of the Toffees’ move. Sports Boom have “ramped up their interest” by directly approaching Middlesbrough to strike a deal. “Tottenham see Hackney as a player capable of becoming one of the new faces of their rebuild following a desperately disappointing campaign. Spurs are eager to inject youth, energy and quality into their midfield and believe the England Under-21 international fits the bill perfectly.” The report states United are “keeping a close eye on developments”, suggesting Carrick may still get his wish should INEOS decide to launch their own last-minute hijack if the leading targets elsewhere prove unobtainable. Featured image George Wood via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.