How do Everton plan to sign Elliott Anderson?

There is still a long way to go for Everton. We need to strengthen further this summer and bring in some real quality players to close the gap on the Premier League front-runners.

Imagine this. In late March, Everton defeated Chelsea 3-0 at Hill Dickinson, moving into eighth place, three points behind fifth-placed Liverpool, and securing the final spot in the Champions League.

There were still seven top-flight games remaining, but David Moyes’ side were unable to win any of them and finished in a disappointing 13th place. There were a lot of unfulfilled promises.

A few well-performing signings could go a long way, but the Merseysiders have holes in defense and midfield, as well as in attack, and need to start making progress.

Everton to announce major reinforcements this week

Everton are determined to improve their attack this summer and a surefire way to get a head start would be to bring Jack Grealish back to Hill Dickinson.

Last year’s loanee returned to Manchester City and, although Everton are not ready to meet City’s £50m asking price, there is hope they can be reunited with Moyes after a happy spell on Merseyside.

Everton have various responsibilities to fulfill. And while forward reinforcements remain on the agenda, the Toffees also need a new midfielder or two to strengthen Moyes’ system, with one player as good as anyone at the top of the shortlist.

In fact, he could be on his way to Everton right now.

Everton have agreed an initial deal for Hayden Hackney with Middlesbrough for an initial £16.5m, with the 23-year-old midfielder potentially adding another £8m to his contract, according to the newspaper’s Paul Joyce.

Hackney was named Championship Player of the Season for 2025-26 after a sensational season on Wearside, and although a number of Premier League clubs were interested in signing him, Everton quickly emerged as his preferred option.

The matter has been subject to protracted negotiations between the two sides, but now that an agreement has been reached, it appears that personal terms will not be an issue, and Everton will finally be able to secure one of the country’s most exciting midfield prospects.

Why Hackney could become Everton’s Elliot Anderson

As analyst Raj Chohan has pointed out, Hackney is something of a “pure passer” and could benefit from the dynamism and passing lanes he opens up in Moyes’ Everton’s midfield.

Everton are a hard-working, steely side, but they may be lacking the manpower to control the flow of traffic in the center of the park, and Hackney could give them that new dimension.

Given Hackney’s age and emergence from the Championship scene, he could approach a £116m move from Nottingham Forest to Manchester City and even become Everton’s version of the much talked about Elliott Anderson.

Anderson is currently the ultimate all-action midfielder in the Premier League, fierce, intense and dedicated to the task of winning the ball. Additionally, he is also an excellent distributor, actively rushing into dangerous areas and creating chances for his attacking teammates.

Hackney scored five goals and provided seven assists in last season’s Championship, helping Boro win promotion with deft and calculated passing and leading them to the final, but he missed out on the match against Hull City at Wembley.

As far as England’s central midfielders other than Declan Rice are concerned, Anderson is arguably the best of the bunch, but Hackney could benefit him well in the future if he integrates well into an Everton squad that is close to returning to European competition. Was Hackney a game-changer there?

Hackney is not yet recognized as a world batsman, but he is making the right moves. Don’t forget, Anderson failed to make the mustard cut while on loan at Watford in the Championship and was dealt by Newcastle two years ago in an attempt to allay concerns over PSR.

For Everton, the future England star could become a sensation while supporting Everton’s European tour after nearly a decade away.