Borussia Dortmund are approaching one of the most decisive summers in their recent history and local media believe a new midfield leader is essential.
According to Der Westen, Dortmund’s solution may lie in England.
A column today argues that Hayden Hackney, Middlesbrough’s homegrown star, is exactly the type of player that Dortmund should be targeting as they rebuild their squad.
BVB facing major midfield upheaval this summer
Dortmund are preparing for sweeping changes in midfield this summer.
Niklas Süle, Salih Özcan and Julian Brandt have already confirmed that they’re leaving, while Emre Can is set to miss the start of next season.
Marcel Sabitzer could also leave, further increasing the need for reinforcements in central midfield.
With so many moving parts, the window is shaping up to be one of the busiest for the German club. Defensive midfield additions have been identified as top priority.
The club wants a deep-lying playmaker who can win the ball, dictate tempo and connect the defence to midfield. According to the Dortmund newspaper, Hackney fits that description better than anyone currently on the market.
Borussia Dortmund are also looking towards attack, with Jadon Sancho inevitably named recently.
Why Hayden Hackney fits Dortmund’s rebuild perfectly
Hayden Hackney has emerged as one of the most highly rated young midfielders in English football.
The youngster is currently leading his boyhood club Middlesbrough in their push for Premier League promotion and is widely considered the best midfield talent in the Championship.
He is widely described by local media as a complete, modern midfielder. He offers elite passing range, strong leadership qualities, excellent game intelligence and the ability to control rhythm and build play from deep.
According to Der Westen, that profile is exactly what Dortmund have been missing. They have plenty of box-to-box midfielders and attacking eights, but have long been missing a true connector. Hackney is seen as that missing piece.
Championship success and the Bellingham blueprint
Dortmund are no strangers to sourcing talent from the Championship. They have signed Jude Bellingham and Jobe Bellingham from the division.
Both have proved that Championship talents can make the leap to Dortmund and thrive, although the former more than his younger brother so far.
Hackney offers a different midfield profile, but the pathway to Dortmund would be familiar. He is young, hungry, tactically mature and ready for a bigger stage.
The obstacles: price, promotion and Premier League rivals
The biggest obstacle Dortmund would face is the transfer fee. Hackney’s current deal at Middlesbrough runs until 2027 and they will demand a substantial fee. That fee could rise well beyond €30m, particularly if Middlesbrough secure Premier League promotion.
Prising him away would be even more difficult if that happens. If they fail to go up, the door opens slightly. But Dortmund would still face competition from top English clubs with far greater financial power.
Despite those obstacles, Der Westen argue Dortmund should still try. According to them, Hackney would walk straight into their starting XI. There’s also benefits to the move. They can offer Champions League football and help him develop as others have done under their guidance.
The message is unmistakable. If Dortmund are serious about redefining their midfield for the next era, Hackney is exactly the type of signing they should be brave enough to pursue.
