Tottenham Hotspur have received a boost in their rumoured pursuit of Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, who is the subject of a major transfer tussle this summer.
Hackney reportedly wants to leave Middlesbrough this summer after the club failed to win promotion to the Premier League.
It has been extensively reported over the last couple of months that Spurs are expected to reignite their interest in the 22-year-old as they eye reinforcements in the middle of the park.
However, the Lilywhites face plenty of competition for Hackney, and they are not currently the favourites for his signature.
Everton offer knocked back for Tottenham target Hayden Hackney
A couple of days ago, The Athletic reported that Everton had leapfrogged Spurs in the race for the Middlesbrough man.
The report claimed that the Toffees were keen to push ahead with talks with Boro to finalise a deal for the midfielder, but they have now suffered a setback.
Sky Sports are now reporting that Everton’s initial approach for Hackney has been firmly knocked back by the Championship club.
In fact, they reveal that Boro’s valuation of the England U21 international is far apart from the Toffees’, and that Spurs, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace are also circling over the youngster.
Why Spurs have to act fast to land Hackney
While Everton’s failed approach for Hackney is good news for Spurs, another Premier League club is also posing an increasingly bigger threat for the Lilywhites in the race for the Boro man.
According to a recent update from TEAMtalk, Nottingham Forest are now advancing plans to secure Hackney, with the club wanting to move quickly to beat other suitors to the Championship star.
Some updates over the last week have suggested that Tottenham are also preparing an offer for the midfielder, who is allegedly valued by Boro at around £25m.