There was a time when a move looked unlikely, but Everton and Middlesbrough can take positives from the deal

Everton have agreed a £25M fee with Middlesbrough for midfielder Hayden Hackney, the Championship's Player of the Season, after earlier bids were rejected.

The 24-year-old has 12 months left on his Middlesbrough contract.

Everton is the frontrunner to sign Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney for around £15 million, ahead of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Tyrique George had played 11 times for Everton on loan last season from Chelsea, while the club is also poised to sign Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney

Hackney was named Championship Player of the Year for the 2025-26 campaign.

Everton have signed Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough in a deal that may rise to £25m, and Tottenham have signed Mateus Fernandes from West Ham

Hayden Hackney was named Championship Player of the Season in 2025-26

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There was a time when a move looked unlikely, but Everton and Middlesbrough can take positives from the deal