There is confidence the Hayden Hackney transfer can be completed this week after Everton and Middlesbrough agreed a structure to the deal
Hayden Hackney acknowledges the fans following his team's loss in the Sky Bet Championship Final match between Hull City and Middlesbrough at Wembley. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Hayden Hackney acknowledges the fans following his team's loss in the Sky Bet Championship Final match between Hull City and Middlesbrough at Wembley. Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
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Everton are on the verge of their second signing of the summer after a breakthrough in talks with Middlesbrough for Hayden Hackney.
The midfielder has been a priority target for the Blues this summer, with the clubs having been involved in discussions for weeks.
That dialogue has now yielded agreement over the price and structure of a deal after talks progressed over the weekend. There is hope the transfer can now be finalised in the coming days.
Hackney, who is about to enter the final 12 months of his Middlesbrough deal, was named the Championship player of the year last season.
His importance was such that his side’s form tailed off when he missed the run-in through injury and it was a desire to know whether he would be fit for the play-off semi-final that was at the heart of the spying case that saw Southampton expelled from the final after they overcame Middlesbrough over two legs.
Hackney was a second-half substitute as Middlesbrough instead played Hull City but was unable to prevent his side from suffering defeat.
His contract status, alongside the failure to secure promotion, meant an exit from the Riverside was likely this summer.
Everton were among a host of suitors but moved quickly to secure an advantage and were buoyed by the 24-year-old’s intimation that Merseyside was his preferred destination.
Agreeing a deal with Middlesbrough has not proved straightforward, however, with the Blues having had several offers rebuffed before a breakthrough in negotiations over recent days.
The clubs now look set to move forward over a package that will reportedly see Everton pay an initial £16.5m. The ECHO understands the deal could eventually reach £25m should all clauses and bonuses be met.
There is growing anticipation the move will be finalised this week, ahead of the return of Middlesbrough’s squad for the start of pre-season.
Should it be signed off, Hackney would become the Blues second signing of the summer after the club’s Premier League survival triggered their obligation to make the loan deal for Merlin Rohl permanent with Freiburg for a fee of around £18m.
The club is expected to further explore the midfield market, identified as an area in need of reinforcement. Idrissa Gueye’s future is also yet to be resolved, with the 36-year-old’s contract set to expire while he continues to represent Senegal at the World Cup.