Today’s Everton talking points: Hackney’s medical, a Lewis link and the sponsor situation

Gary GowersGary Gowers· Updated
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Today’s Everton talking points: Hackney’s medical, a Lewis link and the sponsor situation

Hackney’s medical is happening

Hayden Hackney underwent his Everton medical on Wednesday, with the £25m move from Middlesbrough now close to completion. Personal terms have been agreed for some time. Hackney turned down interest from Crystal Palace to push for the move, and an announcement is expected within days.

Wan-Bissaka out front in the right-back search

The right-back situation remains unresolved, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka has emerged as the most advanced of Moyes’ four targets. West Ham’s relegation has lowered his price, and Moyes worked alongside people close to the player during his own time at the club. Raoul Bellanova, Djed Spence and Guéla Doué are all still under consideration behind him.

Rico Lewis becomes a fresh name

Everton are among the clubs showing interest in Manchester City’s Rico Lewis, with City prepared to sell if the right offer arrives. City want around £35m for the versatile academy graduate, a big outlay given Everton already have three or four cheaper right-back options on their list.

Keita’s price now confirmed

Everton have been told they need around €25m to sign Mandela Keita from Parma, with Atalanta also holding talks over the Belgian midfielder. That’s a significant fee for a squad addition, and Atalanta’s involvement puts pressure on Everton to move if they want the deal done.

CMC Markets confirmed, Stake moves to the sleeve

The shirt sponsor situation has been resolved, with CMC Markets confirmed as the new front-of-shirt partner ahead of Thursday’s kit launch. Stake continues as sleeve sponsor under a new multi-year deal, so the partnership survives, just in a smaller role.

Read Everton verdict

Hackney’s medical is the story that matters most today. Everything else is still developing to varying degrees, but the right-back search looks the most likely to move fastest, with Wan-Bissaka, Bellanova, Spence, Doué and now Lewis all under consideration. Which of them Moyes lands remains the biggest open question left on Everton’s summer list.

Gary is editor for ReadEverton. He has many years experience of sports writing behind him after deciding (belatedly) that the world of accountancy wasn't for him. His work has been featured on (among many others) BBC Sport and The Metro. He has written on many sports, but considers himself an expert in football and F1. When not writing and editing he likes to go to the cinema and sip a lovely cold pint of Guinness (not always at the same time).

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