🔥 Crystal Palace Launch Ambitious £27M Raid for Hackney and Van den Berg

Crystal Palace are reportedly preparing a bold £27 million double swoop for Middlesbrough’s brightest young talents—Hayden Hackney and Rav van den Berg. According to reports, the Premier League side are keen to bolster their squad with the two highly-rated players, both of whom have just returned from European Under-21 Championship duty with their respective nations.

Hackney, 23, a central midfielder, has long been on the radar of top clubs like Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Newcastle United. His technical finesse, vision, and maturity in the center of the park have seen his stock rise considerably over the last year.

Meanwhile, Van den Berg, a 20-year-old Dutch center-back, has caught the attention of elite European clubs including Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Juventus, and Ajax prior to his arrival at the Riverside in 2023. Middlesbrough beat out those suitors to land him, and he has since impressed scouts with his calmness on the ball, defensive intelligence, and strength in duels.

💸 Are Middlesbrough Undervaluing Their Crown Jewels?

While Crystal Palace’s interest is clear, the valuation has raised eyebrows on Teesside. The reported figures—£15 million for Hackney and £12 million for Van den Berg—have not sat well with Middlesbrough fans. During the most recent January transfer window, Hackney alone was believed to be worth around £25 million.

With Sunderland recently selling 18-year-old Jobe Bellingham to Borussia Dortmund for a staggering £31 million, comparisons are inevitable. Hackney, a product of Boro’s academy with years of Championship experience, is seen as a more proven talent, and supporters will argue the asking price should reflect that.

Van den Berg also has significant upside. Having already drawn continental interest and performed well in a tough league like the Championship, many feel the £12 million tag doesn’t do justice to his potential or current impact.

📈 Long-Term Contracts Complicate Crystal Palace’s Plans

Adding further complexity to any transfer deal is the fact that both Hackney and Van den Berg are under contract at Middlesbrough until the summer of 2027. With three years left on their deals, Middlesbrough hold a strong negotiating position.

Rob Edwards, recently appointed as the new manager, is gearing up for his first summer in charge. The former Luton Town boss is thought to see both Hackney and Van den Berg as pivotal to his long-term plans. Letting them go—especially at a combined price of £27 million—would not only weaken the squad but also undermine the rebuilding process he hopes to oversee.

🤑 Big Sales Already in the Bag for Boro—So Why Sell More?

It’s worth noting that Middlesbrough are not in desperate financial straits. The club recently earned a reported £22.5 million from the sale of Emmanuel Latte Lath and brought in over £5 million from Josh Coburn’s transfer to Millwall.

This financial cushion should, in theory, ease any pressure to sell key players. Therefore, if Hackney and Van den Berg are sold at the prices floated, supporters may justifiably feel their club has been short-changed.

After all, these are not fringe players. Hackney is a homegrown midfield general with the potential to lead the club back to the Premier League. Van den Berg is a composed defender already being groomed for the Netherlands senior side. Both are cornerstone pieces in a potential promotion push next season.

🚨 Rob Edwards Faces First Major Test of His Middlesbrough Era

For Rob Edwards, this situation represents an early litmus test of his influence and ambition. Does he have the sway to keep prized assets at the club? Or will Middlesbrough’s decision-makers choose profit over progress?

There’s also the question of timing. With the summer window just heating up, it remains to be seen whether Crystal Palace will formalize their interest. Should a formal bid arrive, Middlesbrough’s response will signal their broader strategy—are they building for promotion, or are they content with balancing the books?

In any case, the pressure is mounting. For supporters, this isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet—it’s about ambition, identity, and the belief that Middlesbrough can rise again.