(Credit: Imago)

Jacob Raw

Tue 2 June 2026 17:40, UK

Everton sensation Harrison Armstrong could be set for another loan exit amid emerging news on Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney.

The Toffees are said to be the leading contenders to sign the homegrown Boro star, ahead of the likes of Tottenham, Manchester United, Crystal Palace, and others.

Hackney was named the EFL Championship Player of the Season for his standout individual campaign, but an injury prevented him from being able to get the Teessiders promoted to the Premier League in the end.

With David Moyes already keen to add a new defensive midfielder this summer, it once again raises questions about the Blues’ current options in the middle of the park.

Armstrong’s future looks uncertain at Hill Dickinson, but if the Friedkin Group are smart, they could pull off the deal of the summer.

Harrison Armstrong to Boro, Hayden Hackney to Everton; who says no?

Everton already received sealed approval to sign Hackney from former Middlesbrough head coach, now Manchester United boss, Michael Carrick.

While the former Man United midfielder didn’t directly talk about Hackney’s transfer to Everton, his previous comments on the ex-England youth international should give the Blues all the confidence they need to get the deal done.

However, given that Hackney would fit straight in midfield alongside James Garner, Armstrong would be forced down the pecking order.

The Finch Farm gem had a successful loan spell at Preston North End in the first half of the season, before being recalled by Moyes, as he then missed the chance to rejoin the Championship side later in the window.

While it was frustrating, the 19-year-old gained some valuable Premier League experience, but almost certainly won’t get that if Hackney arrives.

Everton can sweeten Boro up for their key star by offering Armstrong as part of the deal, seeing the latter head to the North East club on loan for the season.

Alternative Everton star that Boro already love

It would be understandable if Boro already has a Hackney replacement identified, given the fact that they knew he would leave if promotion wasn’t achieved this season.

Kim Hellberg’s side is now prepared to sell Hackney for around £20million, but instead of offering Armstrong on loan, the Toffees could take that fee down with another player.

That player could be Mark Travers, who spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at the Riverside, before joining Everton in a permanent deal the following summer.

The shot-stopper is regarded by the fanbase as the club’s second-best keeper since they were relegated back to the Championship in 2017.

Middlesbrough may want to get a new keeper following Sol Brynn’s stoppage-time mistake in the Play-off final, and Travers could be offered as part of the deal to bring Hackney’s value down.

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