Middlesbrough can secure their new Hayden Hackney if they beat Wolves for the £10m star.

Middlesbrough’s impressive summer recruitment could become even more exciting if Kim Hellberg manages to secure a midfielder capable of helping fill the huge void left by Hayden Hackney.

With the 2026/27 EFL campaign now approaching, clubs across the Championship have been working hard to finalise their squads. Few teams, however, can point to a more ambitious transfer window than Middlesbrough.

After coming agonisingly close to promotion to the Premier League last season, Boro are determined to go one step further this time around. Their recruitment has reflected that ambition, with Hellberg and the club’s hierarchy making significant additions across the squad.

The club’s summer business began with the free transfer arrival of Myles Peart-Harris from Oxford United.

Since then, Boro have continued to spend heavily. Kyle Joseph arrived for around £5 million, Sebastian Berhalter joined for £1.5 million, Max Arfsten was signed for £5.6 million, while Will Lankshear arrived for an initial £10 million that could eventually rise to £20 million.

Goalkeeper Radek Vitek has also joined in a deal worth an initial £7 million, potentially rising to £14 million.

A proposed £20 million move for Ashley Phillips has stalled, although Middlesbrough remain confident that the defender can eventually be brought to the Riverside.

Hackney sale creates midfield vacancy

Much of Middlesbrough’s spending has been funded by the club-record £24 million sale of Hayden Hackney earlier in the summer.

The midfielder’s departure was always going to leave a significant hole in Hellberg’s team, given how important he had become to Boro’s style of play.

Replacing a player of Hackney’s quality was never going to be straightforward, but Middlesbrough now appear to have identified a potential candidate.

USMNT international Sebastian Berhalter can help cover some of the midfield void, but Hellberg seemingly wants another addition in the centre of the pitch.

According to Alan Nixon via Patreon, Rennes midfielder Jordan James has emerged as a player of interest for Middlesbrough.

The 22-year-old would provide another option in an area of the squad that has seen several departures this summer.

Jordan James attracting Championship interest

James is already familiar with English football.

The Welsh international came through Birmingham City’s academy and made 105 appearances for the Blues before earning a move to France.

Rennes signed him in the summer of 2024 for an initial fee of approximately £6 million.

James made 23 Ligue 1 appearances during his first season in France, but his time away from England did not last particularly long.

He returned to the Championship last summer when Leicester City brought him in on loan.

Although Leicester endured a disappointing campaign and ultimately suffered relegation, James emerged as one of the team’s more impressive performers.

The midfielder scored 11 goals and supplied four assists across 34 Championship appearances, giving him a particularly strong attacking return from the middle of the pitch.

His performances have now attracted interest from several clubs.

Middlesbrough are reportedly keen, but they will face competition from Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United, both of whom are also believed to be monitoring James.

That could turn the transfer into an increasingly competitive battle as the window progresses.

Could James replace Hackney?

The question for Middlesbrough is whether James can genuinely fill the role left behind by Hackney.

The two players are not identical, but there are reasons to believe James could eventually provide Boro with a different but equally effective midfield option.

Middlesbrough are expected to begin the campaign with Aidan Morris and Berhalter operating in the centre of midfield.

However, Hellberg needs greater depth following the departures of Alan Browne and Alex Gilbert, alongside Hackney.

James would provide additional quality and competition while also giving the manager another midfielder capable of contributing goals.

His 2025/26 Championship numbers certainly make an interesting comparison with Hackney’s statistics.

James played 34 matches for Leicester, scoring 11 times from an expected goals figure of 4.62. He also recorded four assists, created 55 chances, registered 58 touches in the opposition penalty area and made 73 defensive contributions.

Hackney, meanwhile, featured 38 times for Middlesbrough and scored five goals from an xG of 5.51.

He produced seven assists, created 83 chances, recorded 136 touches in the opposition box and contributed 120 defensive actions.

Those figures underline the differences between the two midfielders.

James offers something different

Hackney’s statistics were stronger in several categories, particularly those associated with creativity, possession and defensive involvement.

However, the circumstances surrounding their respective campaigns must be considered.

Middlesbrough were generally a possession-dominant team and enjoyed more control over matches than Leicester.

The Foxes had a much more difficult season and often struggled to impose themselves on games.

As a result, it is hardly surprising that Hackney recorded stronger numbers during the build-up phase.

James was given a slightly different role at Leicester, operating more as a goal threat rather than sitting deeper and controlling possession in the way Hackney often did.

That distinction is important when judging whether James could replace the former Boro midfielder.

He would not necessarily be a direct, like-for-like replacement, but he could offer Middlesbrough a different dimension.

At only 22 years of age, there is also plenty of time for James to improve other aspects of his game.

Middlesbrough could develop James further

One of the most appealing aspects of the potential transfer is the environment James would be joining.

At Middlesbrough, he would likely have more opportunities to operate in possession than he did at Leicester.

Boro’s possession-based approach could allow the Welshman to develop the creative and distribution side of his game while retaining the attacking instincts that made him so dangerous for Leicester.

With Morris and Berhalter potentially providing balance in midfield, James could be given more freedom to move forward and exploit his goalscoring ability.

That could make him an ideal complement to the existing midfield rather than simply a replacement for Hackney.

Middlesbrough supporters may therefore see the potential deal as an opportunity to replace the former academy graduate without attempting to recreate his exact playing style.

Wolves and West Ham provide major competition

The biggest obstacle could be the level of competition for James.

Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United are also reportedly interested, meaning Middlesbrough could have to beat two clubs with Premier League experience to secure his signature.

Both clubs are expected to challenge near the top of the Championship next season, meaning Boro could encounter James’ suitors both on and off the pitch.

According to Nixon, Rennes are looking for approximately £10 million before they agree to sell the midfielder.

That would represent another significant investment for Middlesbrough after an already expensive summer.

The club have spent heavily on several players and could yet complete their proposed deal for Phillips, potentially taking their overall expenditure considerably higher.

Whether Boro are prepared to commit another £10 million to James remains unclear.

James could complete Boro’s rebuild

If Middlesbrough succeed in completing their move for Phillips, the club will have addressed virtually every major area of the squad during an ambitious transfer window.

However, another midfield addition would make sense given the departures from that area.

James would provide youth, Championship experience, attacking quality and room for development.

He also fits the profile of a player capable of contributing immediately while potentially becoming even more valuable over time.

Middlesbrough have already demonstrated their willingness to invest heavily in the squad, and supporters can therefore be optimistic about their chances of completing another major deal.

The £10 million asking price is substantial, particularly following their spending elsewhere, but the potential rewards could justify the outlay.

Boro must make their move

Middlesbrough are likely to face serious competition from Wolves and West Ham, so delaying their approach could allow one of their rivals to take control of the situation.

James has already shown at Leicester that he can make a major impact in the Championship, and his age means there is significant potential for further improvement.

He may not replicate everything Hackney offered, but that does not mean he cannot become an equally important player for Boro.

Hellberg appears to be building a squad capable of competing for promotion, and adding James would strengthen that project further.

With the club already enjoying one of their strongest transfer windows in recent memory, securing the Welsh midfielder could be the next major step.

If Middlesbrough can find a way to meet Rennes’ valuation and fend off Wolves and West Ham, James could become the midfielder who helps them move beyond the loss of Hackney and continue their push towards the Premier League.