Everton are now at the top of the race for a “very attractive” star, says David Ornstein.
The Toffees are set to add depth to the squad this summer
The Toffees ended up failing in their bid to qualify for Europe, and the poor results at the end of the season caused them to lie in 13th place in the Premier League, which will undoubtedly disappoint David Moyes.
In a message to fans ahead of the final home game of the season, a 3-1 defeat against Sunderland, chief executive Angus Kinnear outlined plans to improve the squad's depth in the upcoming transfer window, having been left with no other options due to injuries and international commitments.
Kinnear says: “Long-term injuries to Jack Grealish and Jarrad Branthwaite, and the extended AFCON unavailability of Idrissa Gana Gueye and Iliman Ndiaye have not helped our cause. Our job in the coming weeks and months is to continue what we always knew would be a two-window summer schedule, and ensure the squad has enough depth to mount an even tougher challenge next term.”
Gueye, who has amassed 130 caps for Senegal, is now 36 years old, and with only one year remaining on his contract at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, signing a new midfielder is on the agenda this summer.
Everton leading the race for the “most exciting” star.
David Ornstein has now dropped exciting Everton transfer news, revealing that the Merseyside club are now leading the race for Middlesbrough star Hayden Hackney, despite rival interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace.
Manchester United have also emerged as suitors, but are not expected to pursue a deal, and Hackney are currently interested in a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, suggesting the Toffees have a good chance of getting over the line.
Fulham and Brighton & Hove Albion have been tipped as interested in the Boro captain, while the Championship side, who lost in the play-off final against Hull City, are expected to command a fee of around £25m.
Losing the 23-year-old could be a huge blow for Boro, given he was hailed as “of great interest” by journalist Scott Wilson, and won the 2025-26 Player of the Season award.
The England man created 83 chances in the Championship in the regular season, which was the second highest number in the second division, behind only Stoke City star Sorba Thomas.
A strike rate of 1.8 ranks the central midfielder third in the Middlesbrough squad, and is the same number Gueye has averaged in the Premier League.
Therefore, Hackney could be Gueye's long-term strong point from a defensive point of view, while he offers more going forward than the Senegalese midfielder, who created just 13 chances in the top flight.
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