View: Everton risk abandoning starlet amid heated chase for 'too good' PL-linked midfielder

Harrison Armstrong is at risk of being forgotten about at Everton, following the Toffees’ latest boost in their attempts to sign Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney.

The Everton midfielder spent the first half of the season on loan with Preston North End in the Championship, before being recalled in the winter window.

David Moyes admitted that it would be best for the teenager to join the Lilywhites in the same window, but for whatever reason, it didn’t happen.

Despite being given some chances in January, Armstrong has since fallen out of favour at Hill Dickinson, and is struggling for game time.

To add to his struggles, Everton are leading the race to sign Hackney, who would make Moyes’ midfield selections pretty straightforward next season.

Everton now leading charge to sign Hayden Hackney

Everton have been keeping tabs on Hackney, as the Englishman was awarded the Championship Player of the Season accolade on Sunday.

Though the Blues’ pursuit of the Boro midfielder looks promising, he would almost certainly push Armstrong further down the pecking order.

If Hackney were to join, Armstrong is highly unlikely to play, with the former a lot further along with his progression.

Not only that, but the Finch Farm graduate would then also have to battle with James Garner, Idrissa Gueye, and Merlin Rohl for a spot in midfield.

Loaning him out is all well and good, but even once Armstrong returns, breaking a possible midfield pairing of Garner and Hackney will be near impossible.

As seen in the graphic above, Everton are leading the race for Hackney.

What has Middlesbrough boss said about Hackney’s exit?

Middlesbrough will be likely to sell Hackney in the summer, whose deal at the Riverside Stadium expires in just over 12 months.

That’s if the Boro fail to achieve Premier League promotion this season, which now only looks possible by winning the Play-offs, but they are winless in seven, and without Hackney, who is currently injured with a calf issue.

Speaking before about the 23-year-old, Boro boss Kim Hellberg had nothing but good things to say about the midfielder amid links to the Premier League, with Leeds United and now Coventry City said to be interested.

Hellberg said: “He’s too good to be here, if you can say that in a positive way, as could be top in most of the Premier League teams, because that’s the quality he has.

“You cannot be prouder than when you see how he fights for everyone else, how in every training he helps everyone. That is what you want in a captain, as a leader and as a player for the club. He’s amazing in every way.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.

Updated 24/7 with expert analysis from the heart of Goodison Park.

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