LIVERPOOL, July 1 Betandsured. Everton are closing in on the signing of Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough, a deal that promises to inject both quality and complexity into a midfield department already crowded with options and ambition .
The reigning Championship Player of the Year is expected to become David Moyes’ first arrival of the summer after a breakthrough in negotiations at the weekend . The agreement, now progressing through the technicalities, would provide an early boost to a squad that finished the season strongly but faces significant questions over its composition and balance .
A Midfield in Flux
The acquisition of the 24 year old comes at a pivotal moment for a unit that has been both a strength and a source of vulnerability. While Everton possess numerical depth in central areas, it has been evident throughout the campaign that the engine room requires reinforcement .
The most glaring issue emerged when games turned physical. Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United overpowered Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium, and a jaded James Garner was too often left exposed, particularly after Idrissa Gueye’s season ending injury . There were few occasions when the Blues could genuinely claim to have controlled a match from the middle.
Hackney, who has operated across both No. 6 and No. 8 roles for Middlesbrough, brings ball carrying ability that could prove invaluable for those bursts forward after Everton win possession deep in their own half . However, his arrival may not address the need for a more disciplined, physical presence in the holding role, a profile Moyes is believed to be targeting separately .
Iroegbunam Faces Crossroads
The player most likely to feel the impact of Hackney’s arrival is Tim Iroegbunam. The young midfielder enjoyed a breakthrough campaign last season, emerging as Moyes’ go to option in Gueye’s absence despite a nightmare performance in the home defeat to Newcastle . His response was commendable, producing a standout display in the win at Bournemouth and growing into a competent option in high stakes fixtures against Arsenal and Manchester City .
Iroegbunam falls into an intriguing category: raw yet sufficiently accomplished to attract interest and justify expectations of regular opportunities . Everton rebuffed an enquiry from Lazio in January, and Ipswich Town and Hull City are among the clubs monitoring his situation .
With one year remaining on his contract, the Blues face a decision: secure his long term future or capitalise on the reputation he enhanced last season. The arrival of Hackney will likely hamper his ambitions, and serious interest from elsewhere will command attention .
Armstrong’s Pathway
The other major question mark surrounds Harrison Armstrong. The England youth international’s handling last season has prompted competing interpretations: one that Moyes was reluctant, allowing him to leave on loan when he might have contributed at Finch Farm; another that he is a genuine supporter who believed a top end Championship loan would better serve the youngster’s development .
The idea of Armstrong departing would be anathema to supporters, but competition could ultimately prove beneficial. Talent around him may place him under less pressure when used, allowing him more time to grow in a supportive environment . However, it would be natural for the youngster to wonder what the pursuit of Hackney means for his pathway into the first team .
The club, once Hackney’s signing is confirmed, would be well advised to make clear that a plan exists for Armstrong and what it looks like .
Garner, Dewsbury Hall and Gueye
James Garner enjoyed a breakout campaign, and his exclusion from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad looks increasingly questionable given the issues that have plagued the national team in midfield and at right back . He remains central to Moyes’ plans and could potentially evolve into the defensive midfielder the Blues require .
Kiernan Dewsbury Hall quickly became indispensable after his arrival from Chelsea, while Merlin Rohl’s loan has been made permanent after promising signs at the end of the season . The final unresolved issue is that of Gueye, whose contract has expired. His focus remains on the World Cup with Senegal, and while Everton missed him at the end of the season, Moyes is determined to reduce his reliance on a player who will turn 37 in September .
For now, the Hackney deal represents a statement of intent, one that will reshape Everton’s midfield and prompt difficult conversations about the future of several promising players .
