Newcastle's Hayden Hackney failure comes back to haunt them as 'real reason' for deal collapsing revealed

Newcastle passed on Hackney last summer due to Middlesbrough's £25m asking price and managerial uncertainty under Howe; he joined Everton for £24m and impressed in their 3-1 Carabao Cup win over the Magpies.

Newcastle had the chance to sign Hayden Hackney last summer but opted against pursuing the Middlesbrough midfielder after the club's £25m valuation proved a sticking point. The decision was compounded by managerial uncertainty, as Eddie Howe had doubts about his future at St James' Park before eventually departing.

Hackney instead joined Everton for a £24m package in July and has since delivered an eye-catching performance against his former suitors. In the Toffees' 3-1 Carabao Cup victory over Newcastle in midweek, the 24-year-old scored his first goal for the club and set up James Garner's opener, posting an 82% pass accuracy and a 100% dribble success rate while winning six ground duels and three fouls—more than any other Everton player on the night.

Newcastle's midfield has struggled for consistency this season following the departures of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes. Manager Matthias Jaissle has kept an unchanged midfield only twice in eight league games, with Joe Willock and Nico Gonzalez the only midfielders to start at least six matches. Hackney's quality and potential would have provided the stability the Magpies now lack as Everton prepare to visit Tyneside on Monday.