Everton are edging ever closer to a deal for Hayden Hackney, with the Toffees understood to have put together a package — including wages — that could reach close to £20m for the Middlesbrough midfielder.
It’s the third attempt at a fee after two previous bids, worth £12m and £15m, were turned down by Boro. According to journalist Alan Nixon, Everton remain ahead of Crystal Palace in the race for the 24-year-old, despite Palace reportedly offering midfielder David Ozoh as a sweetener to make their own approach more attractive.
Hackney has one year left on his contract at the Riverside and is said to favour a move to the Hill Dickinson over any of his other Premier League suitors.
Why Everton are pushing the deal through
The Championship’s Player of the Season for 2025/26, Hackney scored five goals and added seven assists last term while leading all Championship midfielders for progressive carries — numbers that explain why David Moyes has stayed patient through two rejected bids rather than walking away.
With Idrissa Gana Gueye’s contract talks stalled and Tim Iroegbunam linked with a move to Hull City, Everton’s need for fresh legs in midfield continues.
A deal in the region of £20m for Hayden Hackney, even after the haggling, still represents value against this summer’s wider market — and gives Moyes a player who could walk straight into his first-choice XI for pre-season.
Keep an eye on the transfers pages as the deal edges closer to completion.
