How much Everton are willing to pay for Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney | OneFootball

Everton have reportedly named the price they are willing to pay for Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney

Middlesbrough's nine-year wait for a Premier League return will be extended by at least one more year, meaning that they are expected to reluctantly allow star player Hayden Hackney to depart this summer for the right price.

Boro were beaten 1-0 by Hull City in the Championship play-off final last month after being reinstated into the play-offs amid Southampton's expulsion for spying. The Teeside club had lost 2-1 on aggregate to the Saints in the semi-finals.

Despite a number of setbacks over the course of the season, Middlesbrough spent the majority of the campaign in the automatic promotion places.

The summer appointment of Rob Edwards brought plenty of excitement, but the former Luton Town boss departed in November to take charge of Wolves, who have sacked the 43-year-old today.

Kim Hellberg came in and continued Edwards' good initial work, keeping Boro at the top end of the table. However, a poor end to the season saw the Teeside outfit finish fifth.

Had Middlesbrough been promoted to the top-flight, their chances of keeping hold of Hackney would have been significantly stronger, however they look set to cash in.

Everton and Crystal Palace are the two clubs who have been most strongly linked with a move for the 23-year-old and a fresh report has claimed the former are ready to make a new offer for the midfielder.

Everton preparing third bid for Hackney

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According to GIVEMESPORT, the Toffees are prepared to pay £20million for Hackney's services, having already seen two bids rejected by Middlesbrough.

It is believed that Boro will hold out for £25million as they look to do whatever they can to keep hold of their highly-rated midfielder.

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace are reportedly preparing an offer, although it is understood that Everton would be Yorkshire-born Hackney's preferred destination.

Another two Premier League clubs in Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have also been named as teams keeping tabs on Hackney, but both are currently prioritising other targets. The likes of Brighton, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest have also been linked previously.

Why do Premier League clubs want to sign Hackney?

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Having won Middlesbrough's Player of the Season award last campaign, Hackney proved he is one of the best players in the Championship with it widely believed that the 23-year-old is ready for the Premier League.

Predominantly a defensive midfielder, Hackney contributed five goals and eight assists for Boro last season as a disappointing end to the campaign saw them forced to settle for the play-offs, having looked on course for automatic promotion throughout most of the season.

That poor conclusion coincided with an injury to Hackney which kept the 23-year-old sidelined for Middlesbrough's final eight matches of the regular season, as well as both semi-final legs against Southampton.

The opportunity to replace Saints in the play-off final meant that Hackney was able to pull on the Boro shirt for, what looks to be, the final time, as the midfielder came on for the last 20 minutes against Hull.

Prior to his injury, Hackney had started all 38 of Boro's league matches at that time and was handed the captain's armband on numerous occasions, despite only being 23.