Tottenham Hotspur are not the front-runners to land Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough this summer.
Tottenham have been backed to make important upgrades to their midfield this summer, and over the last couple of days, the Lilywhites have made an audacious move for Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali.
While the Italian is a proven commodity at the highest level, the North Londoners are also reportedly exploring a move for a talented youngster who is yet to taste Premier League football.
Spurs are have been admirers of Hackney for a long time, but it has emerged over the last couple of weeks that Everton have overtaken De Zerbi’s side in the race for the Boro man.
Tottenham have not significantly advanced their interest in Hayden Hackney
TEAMtalk have now revealed that Spurs are one of several clubs to have enquired about the English midfielder.
However, they state Everton are the only club to have ‘significantly advanced their interest’ in Hackney, and have emerged as the ‘clear leading contedors’ for the player.
The Toffees have identified the 23-year-old as a ‘key target’ and are now showing ‘strong interest’ in taking him to the Hill Dickinson’s Stadium.
David Moyes’ men have already seen two of their offers worth £12m and £15m turned down by Boro, and an agreement between the two clubs is not close at the moment, but Everton remain determined to clinch the deal.
Middlesbrough continuing to play hardball on Hackney
TEAMtalk say that Hackney has also been subject to enquiries from Man United, Crystal Palace and Sunderland while a host of other Premier League clubs are also monitoring his situation.
The midfielder is expected to leave the Riverside Stadium before the start of next season following Boro’s failure to secure promotion to the Premier League.
Kim Hellberg’s side are holding out for a fee in the region of £25m for Hackney, even though he has just a year left on his deal.