Hull City 'hold interest' in Middlesbrough FC star Hayden Hackney as Crystal Palace 'ready' £20m bid
Hull City thrown in the mix for Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney as Crystal Palace ‘ready’ bid
Hull City reportedly hold interest in coveted Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.
Premier League clubs are seemingly queuing up to take a look at Hackney, who is widely expected to depart Middlesbrough following their Championship play-off final defeat to Hull.
The 23-year-old is one of the most revered talents in the second tier and has also starred for England at youth level.
A raft of clubs - including Everton, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and Crystal Palace - have been linked in recent months.
Hull City and Crystal Palace claims emerge
Newly-promoted Premier League club Hull are the latest to have been thrown in the mix, with Mail Online claiming the Tigers hold an interest. However, the report has indicated the interest is not expected to develop further.
It lays out that Palace are readying a bid worth around £20m in an attempt to lure Hackney from the Riverside, although Middlesbrough are thought to be looking for £25m.
Everton have been named as Hackney’s destination of choice and player preference can often prove powerful in transfer tussles. That being said, the Toffees are only said to have stumped up an offer in the region of £15m.
Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney stance
There is little logic in Middlesbrough selling Hackney on the cheap given they would most likely have to spend a healthy sum on his replacement.
It has even been suggested the Championship club could hold on to him if their transfer demands are not met over the coming months.
For Boro, the more clubs keen on their academy product, the better. Competition often drives up value and a bidding war is likely to be in their best interests.
Hull can finally pay transfer fees after a season spent under the constraints of an embargo, but Hackney appears likely to be beyond their reach. He would take up a significant chunk of the budget the Tigers may need to use for other bits of business.