Everton dealt transfer blow as Hannibal Mejbri 'chooses next club' in Man United exit

La Liga side Sevilla are leading the race to sign Hannibal Mejbri amid Everton interest.

On Monday, the ECHO reported that the Blues had held talks with Manchester United over the Tunisian. The 20-year-old has been attracting interest, this month, on a temporary basis after penning an extension at Old Trafford.

Fabrizio Romano had claimed that Sean Dyche's side were plotting to hijack the record Europa League holders' attempts to sign the midfielder. However, the latest report from our sister title the Manchester Evening News suggests that the Andalusian side are set to win the race to sign Hannibal, until the end of the season.

'Or that's it' - Seamus Coleman shares Sean Dyche ultimatum that has had major Everton change

Everton could complete free transfer of prospect who would bring new midfield dimension

The Manchester Evening News reports that Hannibal favours a move to Sevilla over a switch across the North West to Merseyside. Sevilla could pay a loan fee following demands from United but any deal for Hannibal will not have an option for a permanent deal in the summer.

Hannibal has made 13 first-team appearances for the Red Devils, including five Premier League outings this season for Erik ten Hag's side. The midfielder has a loan spell with Birmingham City on his CV and was due to join the Tunisian senior squad for their Africa Cup of Nations campaign but he opted to remain in Manchester to boost his first-team selection options.

With Everton seemingly set to miss out on the 20-year-old, it presents a headache for Dyche. Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gueye are among the midfield options out of action for the Blues through injury.

Dele also suffered a setback in his pursuit of full match fitness, while transfer