Everton is finalizing a deal to sign Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney for a fee potentially rising to £25 million, as advanced negotiations progressed significantly on Monday.
The move aims to secure the reigning Championship Player of the Season before pre-season training begins.
Deal Structure
According to reports from The Athletic and The Telegraph, the Merseyside club agreed to an initial fee of £16.5 million.
Additional performance-related add-ons include £5 million based on appearances, alongside £3 million tied to England national team recognition and Champions League qualification.
Middlesbrough previously rejected at least three bids from Everton for the 24-year-old academy graduate, who has one year remaining on his contract.
Hackney preferred a move to Goodison Park despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, and Crystal Palace.
Player Profile
The midfielder registered six goals and eight assists across the 2025-26 season, helping Middlesbrough reach the Championship play-off final where they lost 1-0 to Hull City at Wembley.
Hackney suffered a groin injury during the final weeks of the regular season but returned for the play-off final.
Everton manager David Moyes targeted Hackney to reinforce the midfield amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the futures of Idrissa Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam.
If finalized this week, Hackney will avoid returning to Middlesbrough's pre-season training on Thursday before their upcoming camp in Portugal.
