Professor Rob Wilson thinks Hayden Hackney may have been worth the money after all. Everton confirmed the move on Thursday morning after weeks of negotiations ended with a breakthrough over the weekend, and the deal was announced as an initial £16.5 million package that could rise close to £25 million if clauses are met.
Rob Wilson's value verdict
Wilson was blunt in his assessment. "For the clubs who know where to find value, there are still bargains to be had too. Hayden Hackney at £25 million [should all clauses be met] feels right given his profile, age, the English premium and his performances for Middlesbrough in the Championship. He could be the steal of the summer," he said.
That is a fair line to draw from Everton's point of view. The club finished 13th in the Premier League and collected 49 points from 38 league matches, so midfield upgrades were always going to be part of the picture. Hackney arrives after a season that earned him Championship player of the year honours, which is part of why the fee looks more manageable than it did when the deal was first being discussed.
Why the fee looks different now
Everton had initially hoped to land Hackney for around £10 million to £12 million. He had one year left on his contract, and Middlesbrough had failed to win promotion, so the first asking point was always going to be lower than the final package.
The gap between that opening expectation and the agreed fee is still sizeable. Even so, a £16.5 million start, with the total potentially moving close to £25 million, is not wildly out of step with the market Wilson is describing. Middlesbrough supporters sounded disappointed to lose him, but some accepted the exit on good terms, which fits a player whose value had clearly been noticed well beyond the Championship.
The final line from Wilson is probably the sharpest read on the deal. Everton wanted a bargain, and they may not have got one in the narrowest sense. But in a market where proven English midfielders are rarely cheap, Hackney is not arriving at a number that looks out of place.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →