Hackney move adds to growing Boro budget

Boro legend Craig Hignett believes the move to Everton is a "great" one for midfielder Hayden Hackney - but it will also do plenty for Middlesbrough's transfer ambitions this season too. Everton have paid £16m plus potential add-ons for the Boro youth product and Middlesbrough may also have residuals this season from a possible move for Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, who joined the Premier League club from the Riverside in February 2024. While former forward Hignett says Hackney was arguably Middlesbrough's best player last season, he thinks the money gained from his transfer will help the side strengthen their weaknesses in attack. "If Boro would have got promoted, that [the fee for Hackney] might have been a different story, but I'd take that if I were Boro," Hignett told BBC Radio Tees. "Hopefully Morgan Rogers will go and we might get a few quid more. I know we got some money for Djed Spence as well so the kitty is looking pretty good. "Last season was such an exciting season but ultimately it was a bit of a let down and I think quite early on, we all knew where Boro were struggling. So hopefully, with the money they've got, they can remedy that this year and have a good go." Listen to the full reaction on BBC Sounds Listen to more Middlesbrough content on BBC Sounds Latest Middlesbrough news, analysis and fan views