Crystal Palace ready bid to pip Everton to Hayden Hackney | OneFootball

Crystal Palace are preparing a bid to pip Premier League rivals Everton to Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney, according to the Daily Mail.

Palace are expected to table a package worth close to £20 million for the Championship Player of the Season.

While that figure still falls short of his club’s £25m valuation, it would put Crystal Palace firmly at the front of the queue.

The Eagles want to strengthen their squad for the incoming manager ahead of a Europa League campaign.

Hackney has emerged as one of the most sought-after talents outside the Premier League after another outstanding season that has caught the eye of the Palace hierarchy.

The 23-year-old registered five goals and seven assists in 39 Championship appearances and was rewarded with a place in the division’s Team of the Season.

Everton remain firmly in the race and are understood to be the player’s preferred destination.

They saw an opening £12m offer rejected before returning with an improved £15m package earlier this week.

However, Palace are willing to spend significantly more, which could force the Merseyside club to reconsider their approach.

Hackney’s stock has risen rapidly over the past few years thanks to his consistently phenomenal performances.

After being nominated for the Championship Young Player of the Season award in 2022/23, he has developed into one of the EFL’s standout performers.

He also played a key role in England Under-21s’ European Championship triumph last summer, supplying the assist for the winning goal in the semi-final against the Netherlands.

Middlesbrough boss Kim Hellberg was among those to praise the midfielder’s development, lauding him for his excellent performances. He also labelled him a top player and person.

With just one year remaining on his current contract, Hackney’s future looks likely to be one of the summer’s biggest English transfer stories.