Everton secure Hackney as Leeds push Charles deal

Everton completed the signing of Hayden Hackney on a five-year deal, while Leeds made an improved £23m-plus-add-ons bid for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles. The same transfer window burst also brought Luca Stephenson to Bolton, Bournemouth’s push for Alvar

By the time the transfer window had fully swung open, it was clear the shopping lists were already getting longer. Everton moved quickly to get their man, Leeds tried to keep pace with an improving offer, and clubs across England tightened their plans for next season.

Everton’s priority was Hayden Hackney. The midfielder has completed his move from Middlesbrough on a five-year deal, tying him to the club until 2031. The fee agreement had been widely understood to be £16.5m upfront. with a further £5m on appearances and £3m linked to Champions League qualification and England call-ups.

Hackney, 24, was Championship player of the year last season and framed his decision around David Moyes. “The manager’s track record of bringing players from the Championship to the Premier League was a massive part of my decision. ” he said. “Hopefully I can be the next one to do it successfully for Everton.”.

He also spoke directly to Everton supporters about what they should expect. “It feels like a good fit for me, for sure. I think it’s a given that you work hard, you run, you make tackles. I’ll be doing that.” Then. with the confidence of a player about to step up another level. he added: “I think fans can expect a bit of everything from me – attacking and defensively. 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.”.

Across the Midlands and north, Leeds were pressing their own deal. The club has made an improved offer for Southampton midfielder Shea Charles worth £23m plus add-ons. Southampton value the Northern Ireland international at around £30m. while City are understood to hold a 15 percent sell-on clause on Charles. a factor that Leeds believe could be eased through extra terms. The Elland Road side are hoping the additional add-ons help them reach a compromise agreement.

While negotiations continue for Charles, Leeds also look to the next step. Seventeen-year-old striker Harry Gray is expected to join Sheffield Wednesday on loan.

Elsewhere in the window, there were multiple moves that underlined how quickly squads are being reshaped. Bournemouth are finalising a £21million deal with Elche for striker Alvaro Rodríguez, with the agreement set to include a further potential £4m in add-ons.

Liverpool continued to send young players into the next phase of their careers. with midfielder Luca Stephenson signing for Bolton Wanderers on a deal worth £700. 000. The 22-year-old travelled for a medical on Wednesday after Blackburn Rovers had also shown interest. and the deal includes a sell-on clause of 20 percent. Stephenson. who spent the previous two seasons on loan with Dundee United. explained the choice in blunt terms about opportunity: “It’s brilliant being a Liverpool player and they’ve given me a lot and taught me a lot. but there’s nothing like playing men’s football. You can’t replicate that at Liverpool playing for the 21s. I found that I wasn’t going to get the chance to play for the first team every week and that’s why I made the decision to come here.”.

Hull City moved to strengthen between the posts by confirming the signing of Jack Butland from Rangers for £3m. The 33-year-old has signed a two-year contract with Hull, with the option to extend by a further year. Butland said the challenge is obvious but exciting: “The challenge is obvious but an exciting one. The Premier League is the best league in the world and. personally. it’s a great opportunity to be on the biggest stage again. I believe it’s the level I’m capable of playing at. and I’ve done it before.” He added: “As a club. we’ve got a great challenge back in the Premier League. not just to stay in the league but to really enjoy it and do as well as we can.” Rangers. meanwhile. had earlier this week signed goalkeeper Ivor Pandur from Hull in a £6m deal.

Brighton also acted on the defensive front. The club have signed defender Michael Svoboda from Venezia on a four-year contract for an undisclosed fee believed to be around £4m. Brighton’s head coach Fabian Hurzeler said Svoboda captained Venezia to the league title. adding: “Michael has enjoyed a fantastic season with Venezia. captaining them to the league title.” He added that the 27-year-old has the traits they believe will help him adapt. and that competition is a factor Brighton want to build on. Hurzeler added: “He also adds competition to an area we are looking to strengthen and with a number of clubs pursuing him this summer. I am very happy that he’s decided to come to Brighton.”.

Svoboda is currently on international duty with Austria at the World Cup, with Austria facing Spain today at 8pm.

Two more additions were linked to Brighton’s plans: the club agreed to sign Luka Vuskovic from Tottenham yesterday for an initial £46m and added Benfica winger Rodrigo Rego.

Big-money business wasn’t confined to the clubs chasing midfielders and defenders. Manchester City confirmed Elliot Anderson’s record-breaking £116m transfer from Nottingham Forest. making Anderson. 23. the most expensive British player ever and moving him ahead of the £115m Real Madrid paid for Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund in 2023. Only Liverpool’s £125m spend on Alexander Isak and £116.5m outlay on Florian Wirtz last summer were more expensive incoming transfers in Premier League history.

Tottenham’s recruitment also landed with force, announcing the £85m signing of Matheus Fernandes from West Ham. Fernandes said: “I’m very excited for this next step. We look at football in the same way – going onto 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 also have Sandro Tonali set to follow from Newcastle on a six-year deal.

Brentford pushed again in their search for Jaidon Anthony at Burnley, with the club making an improved offer. Anthony, 26, scored nine goals and provided four assists in all competitions last season, and a move would keep him in the Premier League after Burnley’s relegation.

And on the coaching side of the game. former Manchester United defender Paul McShane has joined Championship Lincoln City as first team coach. The 40-year-old had been working as assistant coach at Huddersfield Town and with the Republic of Ireland U21s. A no-nonsense centre-back. McShane started out at United before playing for Brighton. West Brom. Sunderland. Hull City. Crystal Palace and Reading. He won 33 caps for Ireland before returning to United as a player coach in 2021.

The transfer window is now open until September 1. and the early pattern is unmistakable: clubs are moving fast. but the deals still carry the weight of every clause. valuation and sell-on percentage. In Everton’s case, Hackney’s arrival is signed and sealed. In Leeds’ case. Charles is still within reach—if an add-ons compromise can finally bridge the gap between £23m and Southampton’s £30m valuation.

Everton Hayden Hackney Middlesbrough Moyes Leeds United Shea Charles Southampton Bournemouth Alvaro Rodriguez Luca Stephenson Bolton Wanderers Jack Butland Hull City Michael Svoboda Brighton Matheus Fernandes Tottenham Sandro Tonali Elliot Anderson Manchester City Anthony Burnley World Cup Austria Spain