David Moyes will want to strengthen for Everton this summer and Hayden Hackney has just been nominated for Championship Player of the Season.
The Toffees will have a lot to do this summer, as they prepare for the 2026/27 season that will hopefully involve European football.
Should Everton be making a summer move for Hayden Hackney at a reported £30m?
Perhaps he'd be a good long-term successor to Idrissa Gana Gueye… 🤔
A custom graphic showing the reported asking price of Hayden Hackney.
Credit: Photo by Trevor Wilkinson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Everton are currently eighth in the table, and just three points off the Champions League places.
There’s a really good chance, and hopefully David Moyes will oversee a strong finish to the campaign. Then the building can commence.
Everton have three priority positions heading into the summer; a right-back, a centre-back and a forward.
But there’s scope for a new midfielder too, especially if Idrissa Gana Gueye’s contract isn’t extended.
And one man who’s been on Everton’s radar is Hayden Hackney, whose quality and potential has just been emphasised further.
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Everton target Hayden Hackney is a Player of the Season nominee
The EFL have today announced the shortlists for various end-of-season awards.
And Hackney is one of four players nominated for the prestigious Player of the Season award for the Championship.
Hayden Hackney claps fans.
Photo by Trevor Wilkinson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Hackney has excelled this term for Middlesbrough, and has played a huge part in their push for automatic promotion.
Currently, they’re sat on 72 points in third place, either side of Ipswich Town and Millwall, who also both have 72 points.
It could go to the wire, but if they achieve their objective then Hackney would have been integral.
So far this season he’s scored five goals and made eight assists in 35 Championship appearances. But this tells only half the story with Hackney, who has excelled in metrics such as progressive carries and progressive passes.
He’s also been superb on the defensive front, making 205 ball recoveries so far and winning 186 duels (via Squawka).
Hackney to cost at least £30m
It has already been reported that Hackney is valued at £30 million at least.
But that was before this nomination for Player of the Season – it’s likely this will now see Boro bump up his asking price.
There are plenty of other clubs on Hackney’s tail as well, so it will be difficult for Everton to do a deal this summer.
Hayden Hackney playing for England U21s.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
But if certain players leave the Hill Dickinson Stadium, then he really would be an exciting addition to make given his potential.
But of course, there is also the prospect of Boro being promoted to consider. If that happens, Hackney may well be more than happy to stay put, as he’s already talked about it being a dream to play for his boyhood club.
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