Everton prepared to pay £15 million for Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney | OneFootball

Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney is keen to join Everton and play for David Moyes, according to The Times.

The Toffees are looking to bring the Englishman to the Hill Dickinson Stadium and are prepared to pay £15 million for him. Boro value him close to £20m.

Crystal Palace are also admirers of the 23-year-old, but he holds a preference for joining Everton.

Hackney was named the Championship player of the season, helping his side reach the promotion play-off final.

He has bagged 16 goals and 17 assists in 154 games and is looking to play in the Premier League next season.

Hackney has 12 months left on his current contract, and Everton may be unwilling to meet Boro’s demands.

The Merseyside club need reinforcements in the middle of the park after failing to qualify for European football.

Hackney fits the bill, and more talks could be on the cards between the two clubs.

Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in bringing him to the Premier League.

Spurs have opted against activating the option to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha permanently for £26m after his impressive loan spell ended.

Hackney bagged five goals and eight assists in 38 league appearances last season and could hit the ground running in the Premier League.

Boro could be forced to reduce their asking price in the final days of the summer transfer window if Everton and others are unwilling to meet their demands.