Everton are leading the race to sign Middlesbrough captain Hayden Hackney, dealing a big transfer blow to several Premier League giants chasing the highly-rated midfielder.
According to a report from The Athletic, Goodison Park has emerged as the 23-year-old’s personal preference, with a move to the Toffees this summer the frontrunner.
Hackney’s impending departure comes as Boro narrowly missed out on promotion to the top flight, forcing the Championship side to consider cashing in on their star asset.
Everton beat Tottenham and Man United to sign Hayden Hackney
The race to sign Hackney is heating up, with a number of top-class clubs surrounding the England Under-21 international.
In addition to Everton, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and Manchester United are also reportedly interested in the midfielder.
United’s search for a new central anchor is progressing steadily following Casemiro’s departure.
Hackney has attracted the attention of Old Trafford, but reports suggest he is a little further down the current list of candidates.
Tottenham are also monitoring his progress closely as they aim to inject youthful dynamism into their midfield under manager Roberto De Zerbi.
But Everton appear to have stolen the march from their rivals. Middlesbrough are paying a hefty £30m transfer fee in the hope that widespread interest from the Premier League will spark a lucrative bidding war to maximize their return.
Hayden played a huge role in Middlesbrough’s path to the final play-offs
For Middlesbrough, losing Hackney will be a bitter pill to swallow given his incredible influence over the past season.
The deep-rooted playmaker became the undisputed mainstay of the team and played a huge role in Middlesbrough’s dramatic route to the Championship play-off final at Wembley.
His exceptional form attracted attention. Hackney played in 39 games, scoring five goals and providing seven assists, and was officially named Championship Player of the Season.
Due to an unexpected injury, he missed both legs in the semi-finals, but he bravely returned as a substitute in the final against Hull City.
Hackney is destined for the Premier League after Boro’s disastrous 1-0 defeat and Everton are set to secure his arrival.
