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The newly built Hill Dickinson Stadium may become an unexpected new home for Championship Player of the Season, Hayden Hackney, in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Reports suggest that Everton have entered the fray to disrupt ongoing negotiations for the highly sought-after midfielder.

According to a report by The Athletic, the Merseyside club has moved ahead of several Premier League rivals and now lead the chase for Hackney’s signature.

Signing the Middlesbrough captain won’t be straightforward, as multiple top-flight clubs are vying for his services. The 23-year-old’s stock has soared over the past year, culminating in his recognition as the Championship’s standout player of the season.

That remarkable campaign has naturally drawn attention from top-tier scouts, with London sides Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace having tracked the England Under-21 international for quite some time.

However, the most anticipated challenge to Everton’s ambitions was expected to come from Manchester United.

Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock will feature cutting-edge Premium Experience packages from the 2025/26 season. These packages promise premium pitch views and easy transitions between seats and lounges, offering a seamless and luxurious matchday experience aligned with the club’s motto, ‘Nothing but the best’.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has reportedly made no secret of his interest in reuniting with his former Middlesbrough protégé at Old Trafford.

The connection between Carrick and Hackney is a strong one. During Carrick’s tenure at Middlesbrough, he entrusted Hackney with a key first-team role, guiding his progress through 104 senior appearances. Given their history, many in football circles believed Hackney would jump at the chance to work with his former mentor once again at Manchester United.

However, Everton’s timely intervention appears to have shifted the dynamics of the transfer race. Middlesbrough’s hopes of promotion were crushed after their defeat to Hull City in the Championship play-off final, making Hackney’s exit this summer increasingly likely.

With only 12 months remaining on his contract, Middlesbrough’s management is aware that this summer may be their last realistic opportunity to secure a substantial transfer fee.

While Manchester United continue to focus on wider squad restructuring and Tottenham Hotspur evaluate their midfield options, Everton seem to have acted decisively. By promising Hackney a guaranteed central role in their Premier League midfield setup, the Toffees might be set to pull off one of the most notable transfer moves of the summer.