LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 14: Amadou Onana of Everton celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Southampton FC at Goodison Park on January 14, 2023 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
In the Premier League right now, Everton is going through a challenging time. Sean Dyche’s team has played one more game than Luton Town, who are in eighth place, and are only one point above the relegation zone.
For Dyche and his group, the winter transfer window is crucial because, in order to prevent the team from falling out of the top division for the first time ever, the board must make investments in the players.
According to reports, Dyche is therefore keen to add more midfield players before the January transfer window ends.
Everton transfer news – Hannibal Mejbri
The Guardian revealed last week that Everton and Sevilla are the two teams interested in signing Manchester United rookie Hannibal Mejbri on loan till the end of the current campaign.
Financial Fair Play rules are rumored to be holding the Toffees back in the transfer market, so if the Tunisia international were to sign with Everton until the end of the season, Everton would be able to accommodate him.
Amadou Onana, nevertheless, is reportedly being pursued by Manchester United and Arsenal this month, with the Merseyside team reportedly holding out for £60 million for the Belgian.
If a team matches Onana’s asking price, Mejbri may potentially be acquired permanently by Everton, given that his current market value is under £8.6 million, according to the CIES Football Observatory.
Hannibal Mejbri’s stats this season
Mejbri, a highly-rated 16-year-old from AS Monaco, made the move to Old Trafford in 2019 for an estimated £9.3 million. Jacek Kulig, a football scout, was particularly impressed with the youthful playmaker and called Mejbri a player with a “high football IQ”.
The Tunisian, who spent his first three seasons at the club in the academy, played men’s football for the first time last season when he signed a loan with Championship team Birmingham City. Mejbri has, regrettably, found it difficult to get much playing time since moving back to Old Trafford. In 10 games, he has only played 327 minutes for the Red Devils, or 32.7 minutes per game.
The player himself might be open to a stint on loan at Goodison Park. But Dyche might have to change up his approach, particularly if Onana departs the team. Mejbri, who has played central midfield 87 times in his career, can also play as a number ten behind the center forward.
| Hannibal Mejbri’s Career Stats | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Attacking Midfield | 55 | 6 | 15 |
| Central Midfield | 32 | 2 | 9 |
| Left Midfield | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Left Winger | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Right Winger | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Right Midfield | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Stats via Transfermarkt | |||
Onana now plays as a holding midfielder, where he can double-pivot with James Garner, Andre Gomes, or Idrissa Gueye. This is the one position that the Man United academy product hasn’t played. Mejbri can’t quite step into Onana’s shoes if he departs, but Abdoulaye Doucoure can.
With six goals this season, the Malian leads Everton in scoring, but he could have to go down the field to cover Onana’s enormous void. Nevertheless, his season-long stats indicate that he is more than capable.
| Per 90 Metrics | Abdoulaye Doucoure | Amadou Onana |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 0.35 | 0.1 |
| Expected Goals | 0.32 | 0.1 |
| Assists | 0.06 | 0.05 |
| Expected Assists | 0.06 | 0.07 |
| Progressive Carries | 2 | 0.96 |
| Progressive Passes | 3.06 | 4.73 |
| Progressive Passes Received | 5.19 | 2.12 |
| Key Passes | 1.44 | 0.68 |
| Passes To Penalty Area | 1.88 | 3.42 |
| Stats via FBref | ||
If Onana left, Everton will undoubtedly lose quality, but Doucoure has 68 career games played in the position, so even if his attacking production is reduced, he would know exactly how to play the job. However, Dyche could potentially go back to his favored 4-4-1-1 formation, starting a 4-5-1 with Garner or Gueye positioned behind Mejbri and Doucoure as the two central midfielders.
Mejbri is a player who has played in the Premier League and is eager to do well. Dyche should take advantage of the chance to recruit the Manchester United star on loan, even if Onana decides to stay.
