Professor Rob Wilson believes the Blues may have landed a bargain
Hayden Hackney has joined Everton
Hayden Hackney has joined Everton
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Hayden Hackney could be the “steal of the summer” according to a transfer value expert.
Everton confirmed the arrival of the 24-year-old on Thursday morning after weeks of negotiations ended when the club reached a breakthrough in talks with Middlesbrough over the weekend.
Hackney, the Championship player of the year, has joined for an initial £16.5m in a deal that could eventually reach close to £25m if a number of clauses are met over the coming years.
The midfielder is the first new arrival secured by Everton, though he is the club’s second summer signing after their Premier League survival triggered the obligation to make Merlin Rohl’s loan move permanent.
Further work is ongoing in the transfer market, with the club in talks with Chelsea over a potential deal for Tyrique George and a right back high on the agenda.
In relation to Hackney, Everton initially hoped to secure a deal for around £10m-£12m given the player had just one year left on his contract and Middlesbrough had failed to win promotion.
The Championship club took a different approach, arguing he had improved over the season and hoping the interest in him from elsewhere might start a bidding war. That did not materialise, however, helped by Hackney’s intimation that Merseyside was his preferred destination.
And while the club has agreed a larger deal than initially planned, for Rob Wilson, a Professor of Applied Sport Finance, the Blues still have a bargain in an inflated midfield market that has already seen Manchester City agree a British record transfer for Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes join Tottenham Hotspur in an £85m deal.
Wilson told Betting Lounge: “For the clubs who know where to find value, there are still bargains to be had too. Hayden Hackney at £25 million [should all clauses be met] feels right given his profile, age, the English premium and his performances for Middlesbrough in the Championship. He could be the steal of the summer.”
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