This is a common criticism which has been aimed towards West Ham United’s recruitment staff in recent times; the Football League market has not yet been utilised to the best of its potential.
While Crystal Palace’s FA Cup success was built upon a platform of highly-successful EFL buys – Adam Wharton, Marc Guehi, Ebere Eze and Michael Olise all joined after brilliant spells in the Championship – the feeling is that West Ham United could be making far more of such an opportunity themselves.
Crysencio Summerville has – belatedly – been a big hit since his £30 million move from Leeds. Jarrod Bowen arrived from Hull City, lest we forget.
How much would YOU be willing to pay for Hayden Hackney?
Middlesbrough want £30m…
But as reports this week suggest that West Ham could challenge for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, the feeling held by many supporters is that plucking the very best talent out of England’s second-tier is a pretty solid tactic.
West Ham United fans optimistic over Hayden Hackney links
“The Championship ain’t no push over!” one TalkingPoint user writes on HammersNews’ Facebook page. “I bet his stats would be just as good in the Prem!”
Those ‘stats’ show that Hackney has enjoyed his best-ever season in front of goal; five goals and seven assists. Hackney has been likened to a young Declan Rice, meanwhile, and such comparisons make sense when you consider just how complete a midfielder he is at the age of just 23.
If Mateus Fernandes can become the ‘ultimate’ midfielder, then Hackney can develop into another ‘jack of all trades, master of many’. A ball-player, box-crasher, distributor and destroyer rolled into one.
“Depends if Boro can get promoted,” that same fan writes; Kim Hellberg’s side securing a play-off place and still boasting an outside chance of automatic promotion. “Can’t see him going anywhere if they do!”
“Stats don’t lie. Why are we even asking the question [about signing Hackney],” another argues.
“Fernandes and Hackney would be pretty decent long term.”
“Have been calling this one for a couple of years. Think we are far safer buying the best young Championship players.”
“Very good Championship player. Can he make the step up like Bowen? He could be an addition [alongside Fernandes], not a replacement…”
“Been saying it for a while, this lad is decent. They will want £20 million for him.”
What does Matty need to IMPROVE to become the perfect midfielder?
Are there any weaknesses?
Hackney’s £30m price-tag has some supporters feeling wary
talkSPORT claim that, in addition to West Ham, Nottingham Forest and David Moyes’ Everton are also big fans of the Redcar-born former England Under-21 international. Per TeamTalk, Middlesbrough are likely to demand £30 million.
A fee which has some sections of the West Ham support concerned. For every Summerville and Bowen, after all, there have been Flynn Downes’ and Jordan Hugills’.
“If Hackney is worth 30 million, what does that make Fernandes worth?”
“£30 million is a staggering price to pay for this young player.”
“Stats from the Championship compared to stats from the Premier League? Big difference.”
The chances are that Hackney would not be viewed as a replacement for Fernandes, but as someone to come in alongside him in a new-look midfield duo.
Hammers News can confirm that West Ham plan to keep Fernandes if they stave off the threat of relegation.
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