Some Everton fans might be growing pessimistic as talks with Middlesbrough over a deal for Hayden Hackney stall.
The Championship side are said to have stopped responding to Everton as negotiations involving the England U21 international hit a wall. Middlesbrough are aided by interest from Crystal Palace – and presumably hope to see a bidding war begin as they hold out for a sum of £25m.
That all sounds quite bleak for Everton, but the BBC have now provided an encouraging update for the Toffees.
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Everton remain in pole position to sign Hayden Hackney despite Middlesbrough antics
BBC Sport believe Everton are still firm favourites to sign the 23-year-old this summer, despite stuttering discussions with Middlesbrough.
Hackney prefers a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium instead of Crystal Palace, and there is no suggestion that talks between Everton and Middlesbrough will collapse despite silence from the Championship play-off finalists this week.
Boro ideally want to keep the man born in Redcar and mount another push for promotion next season, but the financial details of this deal need to be considered.
Hackney has already entered the final 12 months of his contract at the Riverside Stadium, and while Middlesbrough have briefed reporters that they are willing to run the risk of losing the central midfielder for nothing next summer, it remains to be seen if the Championship side can genuinely afford to give up the prospect of receiving £25m.
That would also go down as 100% profit for Boro considering the Everton target is their academy graduate.
Middlesbrough revealed in February that they suffered a loss of £11.4m in the 12 months leading up to 30th June 2025 – so the Championship side could do with making a significant sale.
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Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as the BBC still seem to fancy Everton’s chances of pulling this deal off.
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