Everton’s move for Hayden Hackney is dragging on much longer than many expected.
The Toffees are yet to secure their first piece of summer transfer business for David Moyes.
Hackney agreed to join Everton weeks ago, but the club-to-club talks between Everton and Middlesbrough have failed to progress.
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Following transfer talks elsewhere, Everton’s hopes of signing Hackney may have taken yet another hit.
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Shea Charles valuation could scupper Hayden Hackney to Everton
Ironically, Everton have also shown an interest in Shea Charles of Southampton as an alternative to Hackney.
However, it is the Southampton midfielder whose valuation could cause Everton major issues in landing Hackney from Boro.
Reporter Ben Jacobs has claimed Leeds United’s £20m bid for Charles has been rejected, with Southampton rating the midfielder ‘significantly higher’.
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Everton should be watching nervously, considering Hackney won the Championship Player of the Season award over players like Charles last season.
Yet it is the Toffees who are looking to land Hackney at a lower price than what Southampton are hoping to achieve for Charles.
Much like Hackney, Charles also only has one year remaining on his contract with the Saints.
Although he is slightly younger than Hackney, the pair are so closely matched when comparing their recent campaigns in the Championship.
However, Everton’s attempts to pull down Boro’s price tag on Hackney may hit the rocks as a result of Leeds’ pursuit of Charles.
Boro are open to the prospect of keeping Hackney for the final year of his deal at the Riverside Stadium.
If the Championship outfit do refuse to compromise for Everton, then the Toffees will be left with the difficult decision of whether to up their offer or walk away from the deal.
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