Everton sent message over Hannibal Mejbri role after Man United transfer talks

Everton transfer target Hannibal Mejbri showed he can combine silk with steel the last time he went out on loan.

That’s the verdict of Alex Dicken, the Birmingham City reporter at Birmingham Live. The ECHO understands that talks have taken place between Everton and Manchester United chiefs over a temporary transfer for the midfielder who played 41 matches at St Andrew’s last season.

Dicken told the ECHO: “Hannibal is full of energy, he has the potential to be a real box-to-box midfielder but is quite versatile in how he plays. At a push he can operate as a six but he’s probably better as an eight.

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“He can run, he can harry and he can press. He’s good at that and for such a young player, he’s also no afraid of doing the ugly side of the game and doesn’t really shirk any of it.

“At Birmingham he would sometimes play wide on the left but that was probably more down to the lack of options that the team had in that area. He’s a very good ball carrier from a number eight position and is very aggressive.

“He’s technically sound but was probably a bit raw at Birmingham. He looks like he’s developed back at Manchester United though and become more mature in possession.

“I’ve been impressed with Hannibal on the times I have seen him playing for United this season. He’s got the potential to play wide left but I imagine he sees himself operating in the central areas.

“He played well before the World Cup break and got his place on the plane with the Tunisia squad. In the second half of the season, he was less effective but there were a lot of Birmingham players like