Everton Sign Hackney as Spurs Break Record for Fernandes

Everton’s summer rebuild has its midfield anchor. Tottenham’s has its statement signing.

On a busy day at the top end of the English game, Everton completed the capture of Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough in a deal that could climb to £25m, while Tottenham sealed an £85m move for Mateus Fernandes from West Ham – a club-record outlay.

Hackney chooses Everton after drawn-out pursuit

Everton have chased Hackney for weeks. Middlesbrough stood firm even with only a year left on his contract, rejecting multiple bids and clinging to their £25m valuation. Crystal Palace’s interest helped their resolve. Hackney’s did not. He wanted Everton.

The Merseyside club will pay an initial £16.5m, with add-ons tied to performance and international recognition, including the prospect of Hackney playing for England. The 24-year-old, last season’s Championship player of the year, has signed a five-year deal and arrives as a central piece of Everton’s next phase.

“As soon as I spoke to the manager, as soon as I knew Everton were interested, it was always going to be Everton,” Hackney 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.”

He knows exactly why David Moyes wanted him. A midfielder who can knit play, carry the ball and time his runs, Hackney promises balance rather than just industry.

“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 has been here before. His reputation for spotting Championship talent and hardening it in the Premier League has underpinned several of his squads. Hackney was on his list as early as last summer, before priorities shifted elsewhere.

“Hayden is a promising young player who we’ve been tracking for some time, and I’m looking forward to working with him,” Moyes 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.”

Hackney arrives with pedigree beyond the Championship. He was part of the England side that lifted the European Under-21 Championship in 2025, a tournament that often foreshadows senior international careers. Everton, also closing in on Chelsea winger Tyrique George, see him as a player who can grow with the new stadium and a reshaped squad.

Spurs go big for Fernandes

While Everton moved smartly, Spurs went heavy. Very heavy.

Tottenham have pushed their chips into the middle for Mateus Fernandes, agreeing an £85m fee with West Ham to secure the 21-year-old Portugal international. It is the biggest signing in the club’s history and a clear show of faith in Roberto De Zerbi’s vision.

Fernandes’ route to north London has been brisk. From Sporting to a season at Southampton in 2024-25, then to West Ham last August, he has climbed quickly through the Premier League, building a reputation as a midfielder who can both dictate and disrupt.

De Zerbi has watched him closely.

“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.”

This is not a speculative punt on potential. De Zerbi wants a midfielder who can live on the ball under pressure and still set the tempo. Fernandes believes he has walked into the right dressing room.

“I’m very excited for this next step. Spurs is a massive club and the head coach was a key part of why I have decided to join,” he said. “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.”

De Zerbi did not hide what he expects.

“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 midfielders. Two very different price tags. One common thread: both Everton and Spurs have nailed their colours to the mast in the centre of the pitch. The next question is simple and unforgiving – can Hackney and Fernandes carry the weight of those plans once the season starts?