Hayden Hackney could be on the move this summer and Everton have been suggested as a potential landing spot.
According to TEAMtalk, Hackney is already attracting a lot of attention ahead of the summer window.
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The midfielder has long impressed now in the Championship with Middlesbrough, and currently he is playing a starring role in Boro’s push for promotion.
Kim Hellberg’s side are top of the table by two points at the moment, and it looks like at the very least they will get into the play-offs. But automatic promotion will no doubt be their objective.
Hackney has made important contributions so far – and several clubs are already circling.
Everton could move for Hayden Hackney but competition is fierce
Hayden Hackney playing for Middlesbrough.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Hackney had a lot of interest in him ahead of the January transfer window.
In the end though, he stayed put, seemingly keen to see out the season and help Boro try and get promoted.
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Whether he’ll still be a Middlesbrough player beyond the summer transfer window though remains to be seen – failure to get promotion will surely mean he leaves.
TEAMtalk say Hackney has several clubs on his tail right now, including Leeds United have joined Tottenham and Manchester United.
But Everton are also mentioned as being a club who could make a move.
Everton were linked with a move for Hackney last summer but nothing materialised.
And in a crucial detail, it’s suggested that it could take an offer of £30 million to prise Hackney away from the Riverside Stadium.
Hackney could be a replacement for Idrissa Gana Gueye
At the moment, Everton have good midfield depth.
But recently some fans have expressed their concerns about the form and condition of Idrissa Gana Gueye.
Gueye recently returned to Everton from AFCON, but has struggled and also looked a little jaded.
Hayden Hackney playing for Middlesbrough.
Photo by Trevor Wilkinson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Gueye’s contract at Everton expires this summer but the club hold an option to extend it by a further year. But it may well be that the decision is taken to move him on.
Hackney is a highly rated defensive midfielder who could potentially make a good long term successor.
Hackney is a bit taller than Gueye but carries out similar responsibilities such as ball-winning and recoveries and he is also excellent when it comes to progressing the ball.
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