Everton have emerged as frontrunners to sign Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney, though they face a crowded field of Premier League suitors for the Championship’s standout midfielder. The 23-year-old, named player of the season in the second tier, is expected to leave the Riverside this summer after Boro’s promotion hopes were dashed at Wembley.
David Moyes has identified central midfield as a priority area for reinforcements, alongside a right-back, and has revisited interest first shown a year ago. Hackney’s versatility—capable of operating as a deep-lying playmaker or advanced box-to-box presence—makes him an attractive option for a club that struggled for consistency in the engine room last campaign.
With just one year remaining on his contract, Hackney is available for a fee in the region of £10–15 million. Everton are yet to submit a formal bid but are actively working on a deal, according to sources. The measured approach reflects the club’s financial realities but also the urgency to beat rival clubs to the player’s signature.
Brighton, Tottenham, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United and managerless Crystal Palace have all monitored Hackney’s progress over the past season. Each club presents a compelling case: Brighton’s track record of developing young talent, Tottenham’s top-six stature, Forest’s ambition under Nuno Espírito Santo, Leeds’ push for promotion, and Palace’s need to rebuild under new management. For Everton, the challenge is to convince Hackney that Goodison Park offers the clearest pathway to regular first-team football.
Hackney’s 2025/26 campaign was one of personal triumph amid collective disappointment. He was instrumental in Middlesbrough’s run to the playoff final, earning plaudits for his composure, passing range and defensive work rate. However, his season was cruelly interrupted by injury, forcing him to miss both legs of the semi-final against Southampton. The absence was compounded by the notorious ‘spygate’ controversy, when Southampton were accused of spying on a Boro training session to ascertain Hackney’s fitness for the tie.
The midfielder did recover in time for the final at Wembley, but only as a late substitute. Hull City’s victory condemned Middlesbrough to another year in the Championship, all but sealing Hackney’s exit as the club looks to avoid losing a prized asset for nothing in 12 months’ time. The playoff heartbreak has added a layer of urgency to the transfer saga.
From Everton’s perspective, signing Hackney would address a longstanding need for dynamism in the middle of the park. Idrissa Gueye’s tireless work often lacked a creative partner, while Amadou Onana’s physical presence didn’t always translate into progressive thrust. Hackney’s technical ability and eye for a pass could provide the link between defence and attack that Moyes craves, especially with Dwight McNeil and Abdoulaye Doucouré shouldering a heavy creative burden.
The competition, however, is fierce. Brighton’s data-driven recruitment model has already identified Hackney as a potential heir to Pascal Groß, while Tottenham view him as a budget-friendly alternative to Conor Gallagher. Nottingham Forest’s scouting network, which successfully unearthed Murillo and Danilo, rates Hackney highly, and Leeds see him as a statement signing to lead their promotion charge next season. Palace’s interest is perhaps the most intriguing, given their managerial vacancy; a new coach could reshape the squad around a talent like Hackney.
For Middlesbrough, the sale would provide welcome funds to reinvest under Michael Carrick, but losing their best performer would sting. The club’s decision to offer Hackney only a short-term deal has backfired, leaving them vulnerable to a cut-price departure. With no shortage of suitors, an auction could drive the price towards the upper end of the £15 million bracket.
Everton’s move for Hackney signals a shift towards younger, value-driven targets after years of expensive misfires. Moyes, who built his reputation on extracting value from the Football League, appears keen to repeat that formula. If he can seal the deal, Hackney could become the cornerstone of a new-look midfield at Goodison.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.