Everton transfer news: Fabrizio Romano shares permanent option update on Hannibal Mejbri from Manchester United
Hannibal Mejbri will “take his time” to decide whether he wants to move to Everton or Sevilla this month, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The journalist told GiveMeSport on 8 January that the Spanish had been looking to include a permanent option in their loan move for the 20-year-old, with Manchester United then wanting to add a buy-back clause on top, so the exact make-up of the Toffees’ offer will also factor in on his next move.
It is also expected that Everton will need to cover Mejbri’s full wages if they are to bring him to Goodison Park to reinforce Sean Dyche’s attacking options.
Romano said: “Everton are in the race for Hannibal, now it’s on the player. He has to decide whether he wants to go to Sevilla, to respect his word and go to the Spanish side. Or if he wants to go to Everton, to stay in the Premier League, to go to a different kind of system, different kind of coach also.
“So Hannibal will take his time to decide and it’s also going to be important to see what kind of proposal they will make to Manchester United. United want the whole salary covered, but it is also important to see what happens with the buy options.
“Sevilla wanted a buy option included in the deal, United wanted a buy-back clause. So there is a deal to structure and it is not something super imminent, and this is why Hannibal will take his time to decide between Everton and Sevilla.”
Waiting game
Everton would surely prefer to get an answer one way or another as soon as possible as they look to swipe the youngster out from under Sevilla’s noses.
If he opts to head to La Liga then it will leave Dyche and his recruitment department needing to focus an alternative quickly so the more time he has before the transfer deadline the better.
A chance at more sustained action in the Premier League could be a key factor in the Tunisian’s decision-making process, since there is little in the way of back-up behind Abdoulaye Doucouré.
If the Mali international is fit then he would be an undisputed starter, but the injury he suffered over Christmas exposed a glaring hole in the squad.
The possibility of a permanent signing with a buy-back included could complicate matters, and it is possible that Manchester United have a different attitude to selling within the Premier League.
But if Hannibal is to replace Arnaut Danjuma as the second loanee alongside Jack Harrison the assumption has to be that Everton can cover 100% of his wages, since the youngster is likely to be on less than the 26-year-old Dutch international.
In other Everton news, David Ornstein has shared a big money update from Goodison Park and how it will impact on the transfer window.