(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media, Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Tue 19 August 2025 13:43, UK

Everton and Crystal Palace are both keeping a close eye on Hayden Hackney’s situation at Middlesbrough with permanent offers in mind.

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That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 23-year-old would be open to a move to the Premier League.

This comes after the midfielder’s proposed £20million move to Ipswich fell through after they couldn’t agree terms despite having an offer accepted.

Brown told Football Insider on 5 August that Everton could hijack Ipswich’s deal for Hackney as David Moyes remains keen to strengthen his midfield.

Now, Crystal Palace are emerging as contenders for his signature as they prepare to enter the market with funds from Eberechi Eze’s potential sale.

Football Insider revealed on 15 August that Tottenham are leading the race to sign Eze despite ongoing interest from North London rivals Arsenal.

Hayden Hackney is attracting Premier League interest.

(Credit: Imago)

Football Insider revealed in March that Crystal Palace want to sign Hackney and had scouts tracking his performances at the Riverside Stadium throughout last season.

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Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the midfielder is on the radar of both Palace and Everton in the window’s closing stages.

“Both Palace and Everton have been working on signing him,” he told Football Insider.

“He’s the type of player both of those teams want to bring in, and it’s the type of opportunity he would want if he’s going to leave Middlesbrough.

“He said no to that move to Ipswich, but he could be tempted by Premier League teams.

“Both of them have been keeping an eye on his situation and are now considering whether to make a move because the window is drawing to a close.

David Moyes is keen to strengthen his squad.

(Credit: Imago)

“He’s a very promising player that still has plenty of room to develop his game.

“I don’t think he’s the finished article yet, but it’s a risk worth taking from a Palace or Everton point of view if the money is right.

“Everton want to strengthen in midfield, and Palace might be about to get the money from selling Eze, so we’ll see if either team acts on their interest.”

Alongside their ambitions of signing Hackney, Everton have also been linked with a surprise move to sign Aston Villa captain John McGinn to bolster their midfield.

However, Brown told Football Insider on 15 August that Villa will dismiss any interest in McGinn as they have no intention of letting him leave the club.

Aston Villa have no plans to let John McGinn leave.

(Credit: Imago)

Villa are believed to be open to offers for a number of key players as they aim to balance the books, but have no plans to let their captain leave.

This comes after Football Insider revealed on 7 August that Newcastle have held preliminary talks about signing McGinn, but Villa have made their stance clear.

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