Following a strong return to the Premier League that saw them finish 14th, Leeds United have turned their attention towards the summer transfer window and the task of building on last season’s success.
The Whites comfortably surpassed expectations in their first year back in the top flight, securing survival well before the end of the campaign and establishing themselves as a solid mid-table side.
Now, Leeds face the challenge of improving the squad without overspending. With the Premier League’s Squad Cost Ratio (SCR) rules set to play a major role in club finances, they will need to strengthen wisely while ensuring they remain within the league’s financial framework.
Leeds are looking to bring in midfield reinforcements in the summer, and the club now have an idea what one of their priority targets wants to do in the upcoming window.
Hayden Hackney has a transfer preference
Leeds have been tracking Hayden Hackney for months, and Middlesbrough’s defeat in the playoff final handed the Whites a major transfer boost.
However, it recently emerged that Michael Carrick is pushing Manchester United to sign him, and it has now been claimed that Hackney has his own personal preference.
According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, the Middlesbrough midfielder’s preference is to join Everton in the upcoming summer transfer window.
It means David Moyes’ side are in pole position to sign Hackney ahead of his other suitors, such as Leeds, ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
He has not made a final decision yet, but he would prefer to join Everton over other clubs in the upcoming transfer window.
Negotiations between Everton and Middlesbrough will follow as soon as the midfielder has made a firm decision on wanting to move to Merseyside.
It seems Leeds are set to miss out on a player they have been tracking for a long while.
Leeds need to turn their attention to others
Hayden Hackney has been on Leeds’ radar for a long time, and Middlesbrough’s missing out on promotion appeared to give the Whites a real opportunity to bring him to Elland Road.
However, with Hackney keen to join Everton, Leeds have very little option, as it seems the player has a clear preference for a club in the upcoming transfer window.
In that scenario, Leeds may be forced to focus their attention elsewhere, with Lyon’s Tanner Tessmann emerging as one of their leading alternatives.
Hackney is highly regarded by Leeds’ recruitment staff and remains a player they admire greatly. However, they can’t do much to change the player’s mind at this stage.
