George Overhill

Tue 9 January 2024 17:40, UK

Everton are close to an agreement with Manchester United over a loan move for Hannibal Mejbri, according to the Liverpool Echo.

However the paper reported on their website on 9 January, via the 11.46am update on their transfer live-blog, that Sevilla are also on the brink of agreeing a deal with the Old Trafford club for the 20-year-old.

Once both the Toffees and the Spanish club conclude their talks with United it will then reportedly a decision for the Tunisia midfielder to make as to where he chooses go this month.

Arnaut Danjuma is expected to leave for France during January so Mejbri would be slated to take his loan slot at Goodison Park.

50-50

With a transfer budget that is certainly unlikely to be capable of stretching to much this month it looks like Sean Dyche and Kevin Thelwell have spotted an opportunity to fill the gap in attacking midfield with Mejbri.

The lack of a viable alternative to Abdoulaye Doucouré has become all too obvious with the three straight defeats in the Premier League coming after the Malian’s injury.

The Manchester United youngster looked set for Sevilla before the Toffees arrived on the scene late in the day so Dyche will have to hope that the chance to stay in the Premier League carries enough weight when the decision is made.

Mejbri has only made 13 senior appearances since his United debut three seasons ago but featured 38 times in the Championship for Birmingham while on loan last season.

His return of one goal and five assists in the second tier suggests he might not be able to match the crucial output of Doucouré, but absent another natural option in that position on Merseyside currently it could be the opportunity he needs to break out.

It looks like it is going to be down to the youngster to decide his immediate future so those at Goodison Park will be waiting expectantly.

In other Everton news, a “major” Dyche target has been slated to arrive if a potential double-deal gets done this month.