Hayden Hackney’s future is currently uncertain, with a number of Premier League clubs understood to be admirers of the midfielder, Rav van den Berg is of interest to Crystal Palace and Finn Azaz has been linked with a top flight move.
Boro aren’t actively looking to sell any of their star players this summer but new head coach Edwards is obviously appreciative of the fact everyone has a price.
Hackney’s reputation has only been further enhanced by his participation in the European Under-21 Championships, where he’s helped England reach the final.
“Of course we want to keep our best players, but what I would say is that there’s always a plan,” said Edwards, who welcomed back Boro’s players for the first day of pre-season testing at Rockliffe yesterday.
“It would have to be a decision made by the people above, but if we deemed it the right decision for someone to go, then I don’t think that needs to be seen as a worry or a negative. We’ve got to then see that as an opportunity to improve.”
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In terms of incomings, Edwards and Boro’s recruitment team are on the same page when it comes to transfers and have already agreed on targets for this summer.
The club’s recruitment team, led by Kieran Scott and Chris Jones, will now press on with plans, as Boro look to freshen up and improve their squad ahead of the coming Championship season.
The model and strategy this summer will be similar to what it has been in previous windows since the arrival of Scott as head of football, with Boro looking to target players who they believe can fulfil their potential on Teesside and who have their best years ahead of them.
Edwards said: “I think if they’re the right player and the right fit, then to me it doesn’t really matter whether they’re 32 or 22.
“That being said, football is still a business, and the way we want to play, you’ve got to be athletic. You’ve got to be able to run.
“That probably matches a bit more with the 22 or 23-year-olds than maybe the older ones. I don’t want to label that at everyone, because if they’re the right person and the right player, and we think they can help us, then it kind of doesn’t matter on the age.
“But for a business and how you really need to be in this day and age, then I think it makes complete sense to be working with younger players.
“If you look at the three of us that have come in, our background has largely been around working with younger players, some of the best youth players in the world. We’ve shown we can help develop them, so that’s pretty exciting as well.”
