Published Jun 5, 2026, 7:10 AM GMT+1

Tom is a football journalist with five years of experience. He has been featured in the Non-League Paper, Crawley Observer, Sussex Express and The RedmenTV - producing features, news and conducting interviews.

For Football FanCast, Tom has sat down with a number of names from the industry, including Ally McCoist, Philippe Senderos and Chris Waddle. Elsewhere, he has covered the National League South final, the Formula E London Prix, Crawley Town and Brighton’s U21s.

Tom enjoys writing features about teams in the Football League and Premier League, whilst also receiving the opportunity to conduct interviews on behalf of FFC.

Having written for The RedmenTV, he is particularly an expert on all things Liverpool.

To do that, however, they must repeat last season's spending and get their recruitment spot on in the coming months - starting with an Iliman Ndiaye repeat.

Everton in talks to sign impressive star

The recruitment wasn't all successful last summer, of course. Tyler Dibling certainly didn't find his feet, despite costing a hefty £42m, and the same can be said for Thierno Barry at £27m. If anything, the Friedkin Group at least learned a harsh lesson and at least saw the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall enjoy success.

A year later, they've got the chance to spend big again and potentially push Everton into the top eight.

They're certainly prepared to be ambitious with their targets too, with names such as John Stones and Nathan Ake threatening to steal the headlines alongside an excellent EFL talent.

According to The Northern Echo, Everton are in talks to sign Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough this summer. Boro sources reveal that while there has been contact from Everton officials at a lower level, no formal offer has been made by the Toffees.

Speculation has been coming thick and fast around the midfielder this week, but sources deem rumours that Hackney could cost just £10m as 'laughable'. Some reports have claimed it could take as much as £25m.

It will be interesting to see how long that remains the case. After failing to achieve promotion, there is an internal acceptance that the Englishman will be heading for the exit door, with Everton seemingly among the frontrunners to land his signature.

Why Hackney can become Ndiaye 2.0

Some may be quick to question Everton for targeting a player who's never stepped foot in the Premier League, but Ndiaye is well-placed to answer those concerns in emphatic fashion.

Before he completed a move to Merseyside from Marseille, the only experience that the winger had in English football came in the Championship with Sheffield United. It was there that he thrived, before choosing a move to France over the Premier League with the Blades.

Alas, that Premier League chance did eventually arrive and the Frenchman has been the star of the show at Everton ever since. Now, likewise boasting experience of Championship, Hackney could follow suit.

Described as an "absolutely sensational" player by The Northern Echo's Scott Wilson, there's an understanding within English football that Hackney is a star in waiting who is finally ready to step in to the top flight.

As a midfield pairing, James Garner and Hackney would provide an excellent foundation for European qualification in Merseyside. Whilst Garner does well to step on and win tackles, Hackney's recovery numbers are simply sensational.

To put into context how impressive the 23-year-old is out of possession, only two players made more than 205 recoveries in the Premier League last season and one of those players was Elliot Anderson. He's now potentially on his way to Manchester City in what could be the biggest deal in English football this summer.

Everton, meanwhile, could sign Hackney for just £10m. Boro are correct to deem that price-tag 'laughable', but they may not be the last ones laughing if the Toffees get their way.

If Moyes is to stand any chance of European qualification next season, then players like Hackney will be the key. He can drag Everton onto the front foot and turn the Hill Dickinson into any opponent's worst nightmare.

In one swoop, the Toffees can form a midfield three of the Boro star, Dewsbury-Hall and Garner. That, alone, takes them up another level entirely.