Chris Waddle believes Everton landed a bargain with the summer addition of Hayden Hackney. The former England midfielder is a fan of the 24-year-old, who joined the Blues from Middlesbrough earlier this month for an initial £16.5m. That figure could eventually rise to close to £25m, but only if a series of ambitious targets are met.
Waddle's Verdict on the Deal
For Waddle, the deal represented value for money for Everton, who made signing the Championship player of the year a priority after the end of the season. The club quickly made progress and convinced Hackney that Merseyside was the right destination for him despite as many as seven other clubs also showing an interest.
While talks with Middlesbrough were less straightforward, the clubs eventually agreed upon a price and Hackney was a Blue in time for the senior squad's return to Finch Farm last week. Everton's position was strengthened by Hackney having entered the final 12 months of his contract and Boro failing to win promotion from the Championship.
Contract Situation a Factor
Waddle told OLBG: "Everton got a bargain with Hayden Hackney… He had a year left on his contract, so it was the right decision. If they'd let it run down, he would have left for free. They couldn't tie him down, likely hoping that promotion would help secure a long-term deal. They fell short in the end, reaching the final and losing. It's going to be a hard season for Middlesbrough, having failed to secure promotion."
Waddle described Hackney as a "key figure" and said Boro would miss him next season if they failed to spend his transfer fee wisely. Hackney, meanwhile, could play for the first time for his new club when David Moyes' side begin their pre-season friendly schedule at Dundee FC on Saturday.
Looking Ahead
Waddle added: "He's a good player, and I think Everton got a bargain there." The transfer is seen as a smart piece of business by Everton, who secured a player with proven Championship pedigree at a reasonable price given his contract situation.
