A genuinely busy day at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with one deal closing in, another reopened, and the kind of academy business that tends to get overlooked but matters in the long term.
Hackney deal set to be done this week
The headline story is Hayden Hackney, with Everton and Middlesbrough understood to be closing in on a £25m agreement that could be finalised within days. The Championship Player of the Season has been the subject of a long pursuit, with bids of £12m and £15m rejected before Everton moved to a figure Boro were prepared to accept.
What stands out is his profile. A 24-year-old, ever-present, ball-progressing midfielder who’s just been crowned the best player outside the Premier League — Everton fans have reason to be excited, even if the defensive gaps in his game mean he’ll need the right partner alongside him to thrive at this level.
Tyrique George talks reopen with Chelsea
A few days after reports suggested Everton wouldn’t trigger the option on Tyrique George, talks have reopened, with a package worth more than £20m now on the table. It’s a quick turnaround, and a sign the original £22-25m valuation has been renegotiated into something both clubs can work with.
George’s loan spell didn’t bring the minutes Everton or Moyes would have liked, but the manager has been consistent in his praise of the attitude behind it. With Newcastle previously credited with interest too, getting this one done quickly removes any risk of a rival reconsidering.
Mandela Keita interest starts to take shape
Everton have started contact with both Parma and Mandela Keita’s representatives over a possible move, according to Sky Sport Italia, building on reports from last week naming the Belgian as one of several midfield options under consideration. Atalanta are also credited with interest, which suggests Everton will need to move with conviction rather than simply monitor the situation.
It fits a wider picture. With Idrissa Gana Gueye yet to sign a new deal and Tim Iroegbunam linked with an exit to Ipswich, this looks like a midfield rebuild with more incomings still to come, not fewer.
Magic Weekend build-up continues
Away from transfers, the Hill Dickinson Stadium is preparing to host Magic Weekend on 4 and 5 July, with all seven Super League fixtures played at Everton’s home across the two days. It follows November’s sell-out Ashes Test, and continues a promising pattern for the stadium’s standing as a venue beyond matchdays.
Read Everton Verdict
None of today’s stories are fully confirmed – was ever thus – but together they paint a clear picture of intent. Hackney and George represent two genuine upgrades that are edging closer to the line, Keita suggests there’s more midfield business to come, and the club’s growing reputation as a host venue adds something to the bigger picture beyond the pitch.
The real test, as ever, is whether all of this gets over the line before pre-season properly begins — and whether Moyes ends up with the squad depth to match the apparent ambition being shown in the market.
