Everton could sign Middlesbrough midfielder Hayden Hackney this summer.
David Moyes will be backed by the Friedkin Group to improve his squad, with midfield being an area of concern for the Scotsman.
Idrissa Gueye has signed a new deal that could keep him on Merseyside until 2027, but he is 35 and could decrease in ability in the near future.
The likes of James Garner and Tim Ireogbunam suffered with injuries constantly last season, so more depth is needed in the engine room.
Everton make their move for Hackney
Moyes is keen to add to his options in midfield ahead of the move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium next season.
Sky Sports has reported on its live blog (9 July, 08:04) that the Blues have checked on the availability of Hackney as they seek to bolster their midfield.
It states that the Boro star is attracting interest from fellow top-flight sides in Brentford, Fulham, Crystal Palace and West Ham, while Porto, Bayer Leverkusen and Stuttgart are also monitoring him.
Hackney would be a great addition for Everton
The Toffees have been linked with a plethora of midfielders already this summer, with John McGinn being one of the more prominent names.
Another option is Benfica star Florentino Luis, but Hackney would be a better signing than both of those names.
Stats (Championship)HackneyHackney’s stats last season.The 23-year-old is a progressive defensive midfielder who is able to receive the ball under pressure and move play forward, which would be a real asset for Moyes.
He can also operate in a box-to-box role, so he could complement Gueye really well in the middle of the park before eventually succeeding him in the deeper role.
Hackney recently starred at the Under-21 European Championships, featuring in four of England’s six matches as they won the competition for the second time in two editions.
The new ownership face a crucial summer; they need to give Moyes the tools that he needs to achieve his ambitions of qualifying for European football.
They are close to securing the signing of Villarreal forward Thierno Barry, and Hackney would be another great addition to the squad ahead of the new campaign.
