Everton are attempting to sign Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney but face strong competition for the Championship's player of the season. The 23-year-old is expected to leave Middlesbrough this month after their failure to win promotion, with only one year remaining on his contract.
Interest from multiple Premier League clubs
David Moyes wants to strengthen in central midfield, as well as at right-back, and has reignited interest in a player he considered 12 months ago. Hackney, a versatile midfielder capable of playing both defensive and attacking roles, could cost between £10m and £15m. Everton have not yet submitted a bid for the England Under-21 international but are working on a deal.
They could face competition from Brighton, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and managerless Crystal Palace, all of whom monitored Hackney's impressive form last season. The midfielder's performances earned him the Championship player of the season award, drawing attention from several top-flight clubs.
Spygate scandal involvement
Hackney inadvertently found himself at the centre of the Spygate scandal when Southampton spied on a Middlesbrough training session to see whether he might feature in their playoff semi-final. He missed both legs of that tie through injury before returning as a late substitute in Middlesbrough's playoff final defeat by Hull City.
The 23-year-old's potential departure from Middlesbrough marks a significant moment for the club, as they look to rebuild after missing out on promotion. Everton, meanwhile, are keen to add quality to their midfield as they aim to improve their squad under Moyes.
