Hayden Hackney to Everton is edging ever closer after a breakthrough in club-to-club negotiations.
Everton have agreed a fee to sign Hackney following weeks of frustration after initially agreeing personal terms with the midfielder.
The 23-year-old’s expected arrival on Merseyside is raising further questions over Idrissa Gana Gueye’s future at Everton.
How would you feel about Hayden Hackney becoming Everton’s first signing? 🤩
As the veteran midfielder is still yet to accept Everton’s contract offer, a delve into the data highlights just how Hackney could become Gueye’s long-term successor.
Where Hayden Hackney is going to play for Everton
Gueye has refused to agree to Everton’s contract extension just yet, with his deal coming to an end in the coming hours.
Although an extension could still be reached, it is clear to see that Everton are not looking to waste any more time in the market waiting for his answer.
Hackney will push for a starting spot at Everton upon his arrival and the midfielder will have a full summer under Moyes to prove himself.
What would you do with Idrissa Gana Gueye this summer? 😬
He's got a one-year extension clause in his deal…
The question remains, though, as to where Hackney is going to slot into this Everton side.
James Garner has nailed down one of the spots in central midfield after his real breakthrough 2025/26 campaign.
In addition, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has also secured his spot as the number 10 having scored eight goals and provided six assists in the Premier League.
In theory, the only starting spot left for Hackney to take is that of Gueye alongside Garner in the midfield pairing.
What Hackney could provide Everton that Idrissa Gana Gueye does not
For the 2025/26 campaign, Hackney was named the Championship Player of the Season for his excellent term with Middlesbrough.
The standout numbers will naturally be his five goals and eight assists, but the 23-year-old offers considerably more to his side.
Albeit playing in the second tier, Hackney outperformed Gueye in almost every department over the 2025/26 season, via Squawka’s comparison matrix.
Hackney’s ability to convert defence into attack is something that could transform Everton’s transition.
The Boro midfielder (85) massively outperformed Gueye (13) when it comes to the creative side of the game, with 72 more chances created.
However, that does not mean that Everton are signing another luxury, attacking midfielder, with Hackney showing he is more than capable of winning back possession.
Gueye (29) pipped Hackney (21) to more interceptions last season, but the Boro man (173) more than doubled the number of ground duels won by Gueye (81)
There is a big question of how well Hackney is going to be able to translate his game into the Premier League.
History has shown the likes of Adam Wharton make the step up from Blackburn Rovers to Crystal Palace.
Fortunately, Hackney has plenty of time to continue his development, with strong midfield competition set to push the 23-year-old for the starting spot alongside Garner.
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