£25m English Star Snubs Manchester United, Rejects Spurs and Brighton as He Chooses Everton Move

Everton have now moved into pole position in the race for an “absolutely sensational” star, according to David Ornstein.

Toffees set out to increase squad depth this summer

The Toffees ultimately came up short in their quest to secure European qualification, with a poor run of results towards the end of the season causing them to fall to 13th in the Premier League table, which will no doubt be of great disappointment to David Moyes.

In a message to the fans before the final home game of the season, a 3-1 defeat against Sunderland, CEO Angus Kinnear outlined plans to improve the squad depth in the upcoming transfer window, having been left light on options due to injuries and international obligations.

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.

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.”

Gueye, who has collected 130 caps for Senegal, is now 36 years old, and with just one year remaining on his contract at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, signing a new midfielder is on the agenda this summer.

Everton leading race for “absolutely sensational” star

David Ornstein has now revealed that Everton are leading the race for Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney, despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace.

Manchester United have also emerged as contenders but are not expected to pursue a deal, and Hackney is currently favouring a move to Everton, suggesting the Toffees have a strong chance of completing the transfer.

Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion have also been credited with an interest in the Middlesbrough captain, with the Championship side expected to demand a fee of around £25 million.

Losing the 23-year-old would be a major blow for Middlesbrough, given that he was described as “absolutely sensational” by journalist Scott Wilson and was named the 2025-26 Championship Player of the Season.

The Englishman created 83 chances in the Championship during the regular season, the joint-second highest total in the division, behind only Stoke City’s Sorba Thomas.

Hackney also averaged 1.8 tackles per game, ranking joint-third in the Middlesbrough squad and matching the average recorded by Gueye in the Premier League.

As a result, Hackney could prove to be a strong long-term replacement for Gueye from a defensive perspective, while also offering more creativity in attack. The Senegal international created just 13 chances in the Premier League this season.