Everton are leading the race to sign Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, but face stiff competition from several Premier League clubs. The 23-year-old, valued at between £10m and £15m, is expected to leave the Riverside Stadium this month after Middlesbrough failed to secure promotion.
David Moyes, who considered signing Hackney 12 months ago, has reignited his interest as he looks to strengthen in central midfield and at right-back. Everton have yet to submit a formal bid for the England Under-21 international, but are working on a deal.
Hackney, capable of playing as a defensive or attacking midfielder, has one year remaining on his contract. His impressive form last season attracted attention from Brighton, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Leeds and managerless Crystal Palace, all of whom monitored his progress.
The midfielder was inadvertently involved in a spying scandal last season when Southampton spied on a Middlesbrough training session to check his fitness ahead of their Championship playoff semi-final. Hackney missed both legs of that tie through injury before returning as a late substitute in the playoff final defeat by Hull.
