Would Hackney be an Everton fit?

Middlesbrough fan Tom Green has been speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside's Total Sport show about the Toffees' links with midfielder Hayden Hackney.

Hackney is said to have a number of suitors but reports this week have said Everton are one of them., external

Supporter Green, from The Boro Breakdown podcast, says he would expect a fee of between £15-20m for 23-year-old Hackney, who is out of contract in June of 2027.

He explained: "I think everyone knew it was a foregone conclusion he would leave as soon as we didn't win the play-offs. It definitely seemed like promotion or bust for him.

"He's a really dynamic central midfielder. I would say he has stepped up this year, shown by the fact of him winning Player of the Season. When he came into the team his passing and getting a shot away were his best attributes and he's built on that this year.

"What we have seen in the Championship this season is him taking the ball and dribbling it, joining the attack that way. And he has a great long shot. He's up for two contenders for our goal of the season."

Asked for an ideal role for Hackney, Green said he sits somewhere between a box-to-box and attacking midfielder, someone who may offer competition for James Garner.

He added: "I would say he is Premier League ready. We played in the cup against Fulham and coming out of that game I thought there were three or four who stood out as being able to handle that level of opposition - Hackney would have been top of that list.

"I would say he would definitely end up being competition for James Garner. I think he can be very good. I don't think he has hit his ceiling yet. His cameo in the play-off final showed he was levels above players in our team. I think he's definitely too good for the Championship."