Everton could beat Man Utd to £15m transfer despite Michael Carrick stepping in

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Hayden Hackney is said to be ready to snub interest from other suitors, including Manchester United , in order to join Everton if the Toffees make a move for the Middlesbrough playmaker.

The midfielder is widely regarded as one of the best players outside the Premier League and was crowned as the Championship Player of the Season for the 2025-26 campaign after helping Boro reach the play-offs. With Middlesbrough being beaten by Hull City in the Championship play-off final, they are now expected to sell Hackney , who has just one year left on his contract.

Hackney has no shortage of admirers in the top-flight and it emerged earlier this week that Michael Carrick , the former Middlesbrough manager, was keen on bringing him to Old Trafford .

However, The Athletic report that Everton is Hackney's preferred destination as things stand.

Tottenham and Crystal Palace are two other teams who are seriously keen on landing Hackney in the summer transfer window. The 23-year-old may be available for a bargain £15million due to his contract situation, though it has also been suggested Middlesbrough could yet decide to play hardball and keep Hackney for the final 12 months of his deal.

It's noted that United have other midfield targets they are prioritising, though it was said Carrick was 'championing a pursuit' for Hackney when the Red Devils' interest was reported earlier this week.

Manchester United could add as many as three new midfielders to their squad this summer and have already agreed a £39m deal for Ederson.

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The Atalanta midfielder will join for an initial £35m fee with a further £4m in add-ons after United struck a deal with Atalanta. Ederson will wrap up his move after completing a medical and is poised to sign a contract until 2030 to become the first signing of the Carrick era.

Elliot Anderson is another player United want to bring to Old Trafford this summer, although Manchester City are favourites to land the sought-after Nottingham Forest star.

Mateus Fernandes, Carlos Baleba and Sandro Tonali are three other midfielders with Premier League experience admired by Manchester United.

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