Crystal Palace are readying a bid for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney – igniting the race for his signature.
Daily Mail Sport expects Palace to come to the table with a package close to £20million for the 23-year-old. However, that is short of Middlesbrough’s £25m valuation.
Palace face stiff competition for Hackney’s signature from Everton. Newly promoted Hull City also hold an interest, but it is not expected to develop further.
The Toffees made an initial £12m proposal to Middlesbrough last week, before increasing their offer to a £15m package on Monday.
But Palace are expected to trump that offer for Hackney, who has just one year left on his deal at the Riverside.
Palace are expected to trump Everton’s offer for Hackney, who has just one year left on his deal at the Riverside
Everton are understood to be Hackney’s first choice, but European football and the uncertainty of Daichi Kamada and Adam Wharton’s future at Palace could entice him to South London.
Hackney helped England to the Under-21 European Championship title last summer, providing the assist for the winning goal in the semi-final against the Netherlands.
This season, he made 41 appearances for Boro on the way to the Championship play-off final, which they lost to Hull City.
Hackney was nominated for the Championship Young Player of the Season Award in 2022-23, but lost out to Alex Scott.
