Everton have been handed a potential transfer blow by Fabrizio Romano with the journalist suggesting Anthony Elanga would favour a move to Borussia Dortmund.

What's the latest?

The Toffees are believed to be on the lookout for attacking options this month and one of the names to have emerged as a potential target is Elanga.

As a result of their struggles against the FFP regulations, there is the belief that the Toffees will be operating on a shoestring budget this month with loan deals more likely.

And the Swedish winger is a player who is believed to potentially be available this month for a temporary departure from Manchester United.

But despite the interest coming from Goodison Park over a short-term switch to Merseyside, Romano has said on his Here We Go podcast that the winger is leaning towards a move to the Westfalenstadion:

"There is Everton, but also Borussia Dortmund. Borussia Dortmund are pushing for Anthony Elanga on loan and the player is really keen on the move to Borussia Dortmund, from what I'm told. So now Man United have to decide what they want to do if [they] let him leave or not."

A difficult sell

Elanga has made 13 appearances in the Premier League this season under Erik ten Hag, however, the issue comes in those appearances have only provided the 20-year-old with 392 minutes of action (via Transfermarkt).

And a young prospect like Elanga will be hoping for as much time as possible on the pitch to develop his talents in a bid to become a regular at Old Trafford.

But this does not seem as if it is on the cards at Old Trafford with the prospect of a loan move away seemingly a real possibility.

A loan move to another Premier League side could prove a really smart move for the youngster if he is looking to make a future for himself at United.

His game time in the Premier League has been limited under Ten Hag and so the opportunity to develop elsewhere in the league could prove a real success.

However, when the decision could come between Everton and Dortmund, there is unlikely to be much of a choice for the youngster.

Everton are obviously struggling massively this season as they find themselves battling a relegation fight - which could offer Elanga the chance to become a hero at Goodison if he was to shine and save them from the drop.

But when a club the size of Dortmund's size are interested it will be hard to turn them down.

Especially when they are able to boast a number of success stories from their conveyor belt of young talents with Jude Bellingham seemingly the latest off the line.