Everton have emerged as the frontrunners in the race to sign Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney this summer, with Crystal Palace facing an increasingly difficult battle to secure the highly-rated England Under-21 international.
Hackney has been one of the standout performers in the Championship over the past two seasons and is widely expected to leave Middlesbrough before the start of the new campaign. His consistent displays in the heart of midfield have attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, but Everton are now believed to be in the strongest position to complete a deal.
The 23-year-old has developed into one of the most sought-after young midfielders outside the top flight. Comfortable in possession, intelligent in his positioning and capable of dictating the tempo of a match, Hackney has earned a reputation as one of the Championship’s most complete midfield players.
Everton’s long-standing admiration for the midfielder has intensified in recent weeks as they continue their preparations for the summer transfer window. The Merseyside club are understood to view Hackney as a player capable of strengthening their midfield options both immediately and over the long term.
Crystal Palace, meanwhile, remain keen admirers of the Middlesbrough star and have monitored his progress extensively. The South London club have been tracking several young talents across England and Europe as they look to build a squad capable of competing consistently in the Premier League while also securing long-term value in the transfer market.
However, despite Palace’s interest, there is growing belief that Everton currently hold the advantage. Sources close to the situation suggest the Toffees have made significant progress in their pursuit and are pushing hard to reach an agreement before rival clubs can step up their interest.
For Palace, missing out on Hackney would represent a disappointment given how highly he is regarded within recruitment circles at Selhurst Park. The club view the midfielder as a player whose profile fits perfectly with their transfer strategy of acquiring talented young footballers capable of developing into Premier League stars.
Hackney’s performances for Middlesbrough have made him a key figure at the Riverside Stadium, but the player is believed to be eager to test himself at the highest level. A move to the Premier League has long been considered the next logical step in his career, and interest from top-flight clubs has only strengthened that belief.
While no deal has yet been finalised, Everton’s position at the front of the queue has left Crystal Palace facing an uphill task. Unless the situation changes significantly in the coming weeks, the Eagles may find themselves watching one of their priority midfield targets head elsewhere.
The transfer saga is expected to develop quickly as the summer window gathers momentum, with Hackney’s future likely to be resolved before pre-season preparations get fully underway.
