- Crystal Palace eyeing Hayden Hackney
- Everton appear to be frontrunners
- Middlesbrough midfielder reasonably priced
Crystal Palace need to act quickly to ensure Everton don’t win the race to sign Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney. The English midfielder is on the Eagles’ wishlist.
According to The Telegraph, the Toffees are pursuing Hayden, who has starred in the EFL Championship for several years. Boro’s failure to gain promotion to the Premier League means a summer exit is likely.
Palace are on the lookout for a new midfielder ahead of Daichi Kamada’s expected departure. Hayden fits the bill with his workhorse playing style and leadership qualities.
Palace must swoop for Hackney
The report claims that Palace, Brighton & Hove Albion, Tottenham Hotspur, Leeds United and Everton are keen on Hayden. He could be available for just £10m, a low price that the South London outfit should capitalise on.
Hackney’s stock has risen during his time at the Riverside Stadium. So much so he was branded ‘the Championship Declan Rice’ earlier this season.
The 23-year-old made 41 appearances across competitions, posting six goals and eight assists. His versatility has seen him play in several midfield positions, including as a holding midfielder.
A must-have
Hackney has proven to be one of the best performers in the second tier of English football. Where Palace can beat Everton to the player is the lure of European football.
The Eagles will be competing in the Europa League next season and that could give the South Londoners an advantage should they rival the Toffees. But there is also the threat of the likes of Brighton, who are also in Europe, and Spurs, who remain one of England’s biggest clubs.
The club are trying to convince Kamada to make a U-turn over his decision to leave when his contract is up. But the Japanese midfielder seems likely to head for the exit door and that means a replacement of similar quality is needed.
