Overview
- Everton formally contacted Middlesbrough and entered transfer talks in early June after identifying Hayden Hackney as a midfield target.
- Middlesbrough have publicly rejected low approaches and say they would rather let Hackney play the final year of his contract than accept an offer that does not meet their valuation.
- Sources and pundits suggest a realistic fee is well above the reported £10m figure, with commentators commonly citing a likely range of about £20m to £30m.
- Hackney, the EFL Championship Player of the Season who made 41 appearances last season, is said to prefer a move to Everton but remains the subject of interest from several other Premier League clubs.
- Middlesbrough’s stance is shaped by their finances and the EFL’s emerging Squad Cost Rules that limit how much clubs can spend on squad costs, meaning meaningful transfer income is needed to reinvest and balance the books.