David Moyes Everton set to improve bid for Hayden Hackney

Everton are ready to improve their bid for Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney, with journalist Alan Nixon reporting David Moyes's side will go close to a £20M fee after two offers of around £12M and £15M were rejected. Hackney wants Everton, Boro want more than £20M, and Crystal Palace may offer David Ozoh rather than matching the cash. Progress on the deal had gone quiet after Everton's first two approaches were turned down, frustrating supporters eager for an early summer signing.

With Hackney entering the final year of his contract and Middlesbrough missing promotion after losing the Championship play-off final to Hull City, both clubs now face a valuation standoff that could define David Moyes's midfield rebuild.

Key Takeaways

• Everton's rejected bids were believed to be around £12M and £15M; Nixon says a third offer will go close to £20M.
• Middlesbrough value Hackney above £20M; Crystal Palace are pursuing him but may not match Everton's cash bid.
• Hackney was Championship Player of the Season for 2025-26 and has expressed interest in joining Everton.
• Former Boro star Gary Pallister told Goal.com the 24-year-old is a Premier League player who could follow an Elliot Anderson-style path.
• Liverpool Echo correspondent Joe Thomas says price disagreement—not PSR rules—is holding up the deal under David Moyes.

Why is the Hayden Hackney transfer stalled?

According to the Liverpool Echo, Everton tracked Hackney early and the player was willing to explore a move, but the clubs cannot agree on his value. Middlesbrough entertained a £16M package from Ipswich Town 12 months ago; with one year left on Hackney's deal and no promotion secured, Everton felt a £10M–£12M deal was reasonable.

Boro are holding firm for more than £20M. ToffeeWeb reports the North East club is reluctantly ready to sanction the academy graduate's sale after his injury disrupted their run-in. Hackney scored five league goals and added seven assists in 2025-26, leading all Championship midfielders for progressive carries.

Will Everton beat Crystal Palace for Hayden Hackney?

Nixon's update, relayed by ToffeeWeb, suggests Everton hold an advantage on pure fee. Palace are not prepared to match a bid approaching £20M but could offer 21-year-old midfielder David Ozoh as a sweetener. Ozoh has made 47 appearances across two Championship loan seasons at Derby County.

Hackney reportedly wants Everton despite interest from other Premier League rivals. With two or three top-flight clubs circling, the next improved bid could force Middlesbrough's hand before the transfer window closes.

What does David Moyes need from a midfield signing?

Everton have not completed incoming or outgoing business a month after last season ended in defeat at Tottenham. An early Hackney signing would have lifted morale after a flat end to the campaign, when Moyes had the Blues in the hunt for sixth with six games remaining before a late collapse.

Pallister told Goal that Hackney could tread the Elliot Anderson route—from EFL to England recognition—though he ruled out an immediate jump to a top-six club. Hackney was part of England's triumphant U21 European Championship squad in 2025 alongside Anderson. For more transfer-market context, see our Fintech & Crypto Alerts coverage hub.

Does Everton need to sell players to fund the deal?

The Echo reports Everton's PSR position looks comfortable and a Premier League guarantee on Burnley compensation should not block spending. Thomas writes that Tim Iroegbunam's future is linked to Hackney's arrival—Hackney would likely move ahead of Iroegbunam in the pecking order—but a sale is not required to fund the bid. Interest in Iroegbunam has already surfaced without being acted on.