Everton now leading race to sign midfield star after completing in-person checks

Everton have stormed into pole position to sign Hayden Hackney this summer after completing in-person checks on the Middlesbrough midfielder.

Everton in pole position to sign Hackney

Whilst last gasp defeat against Merseyside rivals Liverpool will still feel frustrating, Everton should be pleased with how their first campaign at the Hill Dickinson Stadium has gone.

The Toffees have gone from relegation candidates to European hopefuls and there’s still time to secure shock qualification with five games left to play.

There’s no doubt that European football would aid their summer transfer ambitions, too. The Friedkin Group already did well to welcome Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry in big-money deals last summer, whilst also welcoming Jack Grealish on loan. But now they’re looking to step things up even further.

One name threatening to steal the headlines is Conor Gallagher and it’s becoming clear that midfield reinforcements will be among the priorities at Everton this summer.

The Tottenham Hotspur star has not done enough to prevent relegation troubles since arriving in January and is unlikely to stick around in the Championship – opening the door for a swift departure.

When it comes to recent form, however, it wouldn’t be absurd to suggest that the Toffees should be focusing their funds on another midfield name instead.

According to TeamTalk, Everton are now in pole position to sign Hackney from Middlesbrough this summer, having already completed in-person checks.

The 23-year-old has been one of the players of the season in the Championship and looks destined for the Premier League with or without Boro this summer.

“Unbelievable” Hackney is ready for the Premier League

Whilst Gallagher has been stealing the headlines for all the wrong reasons, Hackney stands out as someone who would transform Everton’s midfield next to James Garner.

Dubbed “unbelievable” by Middlesbrough manager Kim Hellberg, the Englishman has looked on the cusp of reaching the top flight for some time and could decide to take the Merseyside route if Boro fail to achieve promotion.

Providing an update on a potential move, TeamTalk’s Graeme Bailey said: “More than half the Premier League are following Hackney. Everton are one of those who have been watching in recent weeks. A lot of midfielders are due to move this summer and Hackney will likely be part of that.”

As a partnership, Garner and Hackney would be the perfect match.

The former would make up for the latter’s weakness in duels, whilst Hackney would provide the front-foot creativity that Garner lacks. On paper, it’s a midfield fit for European qualification if Friedkin can land the Boro star.