Everton confident of striking deal for their own Elliot Anderson amid £50m transfer reveal

Everton are working with a transfer budget of around £50million in this summer's window.

David Moyes has made clear he wants investment in the squad, but he may not be as financially backed as he would have liked.

The Toffees faded badly in the final stages of last season to miss out on a place in Europe.

Already players are being linked with a move to Hill Dickinson Stadium, one of which has now been likened to Nottingham Forest's Elliott Anderson.

And a new update suggests Everton are at least confident of getting that deal struck.

Everton update shared in Hayden Hackney pursuit

It is no secret that Hayden Hackney is high up on the list of Everton's summer transfer targets.

The midfielder topped a number of wide-ranging metrics in the Championship last season as Middlesbrough narrowly missed out on promotion.

According to i news, there is a degree of confidence within the Everton ranks that they can strike a deal for Hackney.

This is despite the fact they have not yet opened talks with Middlesbrough over a deal.

The same article reports that there is a "real buzz" about Hackney in the recruitment circles, with one likening him to Forest star Anderson.

Hackney provides something new for David Moyes

Moyes already has some talented central midfielders, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and James Garner impressing last time out.

Hackney can play in a number of positions, whether it is as a holder, attacker or just a pure central midfielder.

His biggest strength is carrying the ball, with that ability to turn defence into attack something Moyes will love.

Hackney can also chip in with goals and assists, as well as defend, so he tickets plenty of boxes.

The fact Everton have reportedly not yet opened talks is strange, but the belief that a deal is there to be done is at least a little more encouraging.

Beyond, hopefully, a deal for Hackney, Everton will then have some money leftover for another signing.

But it may well then be a case of selling before any further deals can be made if £50m really is Moyes' lot.