Everton Signs Hayden Hackney as Spurs Break Record for Mateus Fernandes
Everton’s rebuild under David Moyes has taken a decisive turn, while Tottenham have fired a statement of intent of their own. Two midfielders, two very different stages of their careers, but one clear message from both clubs: this season will not be passive.
Everton get their man
Everton have finally completed the signing of Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough in a deal that could reach £25m, ending weeks of haggling and hard lines from the Championship club.
The 24-year-old, voted Championship player of the year last season, has signed a five-year contract on Merseyside. The fee starts at £16.5m and could rise to £25m with add-ons, including clauses linked to Hackney breaking into the England senior side.
Middlesbrough resisted several Everton bids as they clung to their valuation, even with only 12 months left on Hackney’s contract. Interest from Crystal Palace helped stiffen their resolve. Hackney’s mind, though, was already made up.
“As soon as I spoke to the manager, as soon as I knew Everton were interested, it was always going to be Everton,” he said. “It’s such a big club, with the new stadium and the direction it’s going in. I just wanted to be part of that. The manager’s track record of bringing players from the Championship to the Premier League was a massive part of my decision as well. Hopefully I can be the next one to do it successfully for Everton.”
That track record is something Moyes is clearly keen to lean on again. He tried to sign Hackney last summer before turning to other areas of the squad. Now he has the midfielder at the second attempt, fresh from helping England win the European Under-21 Championship in 2025 and ready for a first taste of Premier League football.
Hackney knows exactly what kind of player Everton supporters should expect.
“I think fans can expect a bit of everything from me – attacking and defensively,” he said. “I think I can carry the ball well, arrive late in the box, and hopefully score some goals. I think there’s plenty more to come from me. Obviously, I haven’t played in the Premier League yet, so once I get used to that I think I can kick on from there.”
Moyes, back in charge at Goodison and shaping a squad to match his combative, front-foot style, sees Hackney as part of the core.
“Hayden is a promising young player who we’ve been tracking for some time, and I’m looking forward to working with him,” the Everton manager said. “We’ve had a track record over the years of identifying players in the Championship who have gone on to do really well for us and been good investments. We hope that will be the case with Hayden, too.
“He’s an England Under-21 international who will provide greater competition in midfield, which is something I wanted going into the new season.”
Everton are also close to adding Chelsea winger Tyrique George, another sign that the club’s recruitment is skewing younger, hungrier, and with clear resale value. For a side trying to stabilise on and off the pitch, Hackney’s arrival feels like both a footballing and financial bet they are determined to win.
Spurs go big for Mateus Fernandes
While Everton worked the margins of value, Tottenham went straight for the headline. An £85m deal for Mateus Fernandes from West Ham – a club record fee and a move that will echo far beyond north London.
The 21-year-old Portugal international, who began his career at Sporting and spent the 2024-25 season at Southampton, joined West Ham last August. Twelve months later, his trajectory has carried him into the heart of Roberto De Zerbi’s project at Spurs.
De Zerbi has built his reputation on high-tempo, high-risk football. To play that way, he needs midfielders who can think quickly and live with the ball under pressure. Fernandes, in his eyes, is exactly that.
“I’ve admired Mateus for a long time because he combines quality on the ball with the intensity and intelligence that are so important in the way we want to play,” the Spurs head coach said. “Despite his age, he already has good experience in the Premier League and has shown quality and consistency at this level.”
For Fernandes, the move is as much about the manager as the badge.
“I’m very excited for this next step,” he said. “Spurs is a massive club and the head coach was a key part of why I have decided to join. When we spoke it was very special. We look at football in the same way – going on to the pitch as a strong team, with fight and energy, to try and win every game. I can’t wait to get started, to meet the fans, to meet everyone, and give everything for the club.”
Tottenham have paid a premium, but De Zerbi sounds convinced the environment will accelerate the midfielder’s rise.
“Mateus is comfortable under pressure, can progress the ball, works hard for the team and has the courage to make things happen in difficult moments,” he said. “I believe this is the ideal environment for him to continue his development and I’m excited to start working with him.”
Two deals, two statements. Everton banking on a Championship standout to anchor their next phase, Spurs throwing their weight behind a £85m conductor for De Zerbi’s demanding system.
The fees are heavy, the expectations even heavier. Now it’s over to Hackney and Fernandes to prove they were worth the fight.
