Everton have moved into pole position to sign Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, according to journalist David Ornstein, ahead of a busy summer transfer window.
The Toffees finished 13th in the Premier League table after a poor run of results towards the end of the season, falling short of their European qualification ambitions under David Moyes.
CEO Angus Kinnear addressed supporters before the final home game of the season, a 3-1 defeat against Sunderland, outlining plans to strengthen squad depth in the upcoming transfer window.
Kinnear said: “Long-term injuries to Jack Grealish and Jarrad Branthwaite, and the extended AFCON absence of Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye have not helped our cause.”
He added: “Our job in the coming weeks and months is to continue with what we always knew would be a two-summer window plan, and ensure the squad has enough depth to mount an even more compelling challenge next term.”
With Gueye now 36 years old and holding just one year remaining on his contract at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, signing a new midfielder has become a clear priority for the club.
Ornstein revealed Everton are now leading the race for Hackney despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, Fulham, and Brighton and Hove Albion in the 23-year-old Middlesbrough captain.
Manchester United have also emerged as contenders for the midfielder but are not expected to actively pursue a deal, with Hackney currently favouring a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Middlesbrough, who lost the Championship play-off final against Hull City, are expected to hold out for a fee of around £25m for the highly rated midfielder.
Hackney was described as “absolutely sensational” by journalist Scott Wilson and claimed the 2025-26 Championship Player of the Season award following an outstanding campaign in the second tier.
The central midfielder created 83 chances during the regular Championship season, which was the joint-second highest figure in the division, behind only Stoke City star Sorba Thomas.
His average of 1.8 tackles per game ranked him joint-third within the Middlesbrough squad, matching the same figure averaged by Gueye across his Premier League appearances this season.
That defensive output, combined with his ability to create chances going forward, could make Hackney a strong long-term replacement for Gueye, who created just 13 chances in the top flight.