Everton told '£30m' bid likely to be accepted for Hayden Hackney

Everton are likely to have to offer much more than the rumoured £10million to sign Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney this summer.

That is according to former Manchester City financial adviser Stefan Borson, who exclusively told Football Insider figures around £10m are far too low despite Boro missing out on promotion to the Premier League.

The Toffees had been linked with the 23-year-old long before the end of the 2025-26 campaign, but interest has ramped up ever since Boro's defeat to Hull City in the Championship play-off final.

Sources from the Riverside Stadium have since called out the reported transfer fee as "laughable," and Borson believes that David Moyes' side will have to offer between £20m and £30m this summer.

Hayden Hackney only available for £10million with 'contract issues'

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson explained that the only way someone of Hackney's calibre would be available for so little were if there were issues over his future.

"There are very few players that are of the requisite quality that are available for ten million pounds unless there's a contract issue," he said.

"He's a player who's of high quality and is potentially moving up into the Premier League, so it'll be £20million-£30million, right? That's just sort of natural natural flow from the potential there.

"He seems to be highly rated and there seems to be a few people interested. So £10million just doesn't seem like it's likely to be the price.

"But then again Middlesbrough did sell Morgan Rogers for £12million, so these things do happen.

"The only way you're driven to sell for ten million pounds is if you've got a contract issue."

What could Hackney's arrival mean for David Moyes' squad?

Hackney's arrival would certainly thrown a spanner in the works for the Toffees' current set of talented midfielders.

Aston Villa are interested in James Garner, and while he has only recently signed a new contract, there is no guarantee that he stays this summer.

Questions have also been asked of Idrissa Gueye's future. The 36-year-old's current deal is set to expire at the end of the month, but there was hope of renewal throughout the season.

While Hackney is unlikely to be signed as a replacement for Garner, he could certainly be moulded into a player who eventually fills the England international's shoes in the future.