Everton have emerged as the front-runners to sign Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney.
The 23-year-old deep-lying playmaker enjoyed a superb 2025/26 campaign, bagging five goals and eight assists in 38 league appearances.
His technical quality earned him both the Championship Player of the Season award and a place in the Team of the Year.
With Hackney about to enter the final 12 months of his contract at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough are resigned to cashing in on him.
Everton have emerged as his most likely destination. The Toffees have enjoyed a resurgence under manager David MMoyes, narrowly missing out on European qualification last season.
However, Everton’s recruitment team recognises an urgent need for midfield reinforcements.
With veteran Idrissa Gana Gueye now 36 and Moyes eager to inject more dynamism alongside James Garner, Hackney is the ideal bridge between immediate top-flight readiness and long-term potential.
Despite Everton’s strong position, securing the deal will require navigating a competitive transfer market.
Several Premier League clubs are monitoring Hackney’s situation, including Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace.
There is also interest from Manchester United, where manager Michael Carrick is reportedly pushing for a reunion with the playmaker he nurtured during his time on Teesside.
United can offer Champions League football, but Everton’s clear pathway to regular first-team action is a powerful selling point for the ‘fantastic‘ Hackney.
