Manchester United and Rangers are reportedly at odds over a possible deal for Tunisian playmaker Hannibal Mejbri.
The 21-year-old is now back under Erik ten Hag's wing following a forgettable loan spell with Sevilla in the second half of the 2023-24 season, where he played just six games in La Liga and was largely frozen out of the squad.
Prior to his unsuccessful stint in Spanish football, Mejbri had excelled in Birmingham City colours during the 2022-23 campaign, and he made 10 appearances for Man United in the first half of last term.
However, Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount are both ahead of Hannibal in the playmaker's pecking order at Man United, and the latter is now in the final year of his deal, which was extended back in January.
The Tunisia international has been involved in all four of Man United's pre-season fixtures so far, taking on Rosenborg, Real Betis, Rangers and Arsenal, but a transfer is expected to materialise due to his contract situation.
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Rangers 'pursuing' loan deal for Hannibal
It was reported at the end of July that Man United's recent friendly foes Rangers had entered talks to bring Hannibal to Ibrox, but according to TEAMtalk, an agreement is yet to be reached.
Philippe Clement's side are supposedly pursuing a loan deal with a permanent option at the end of the season, while Man United wish to get Hannibal off the books for good this summer.
The two clubs are still said to have held positive talks, but Rangers are currently showing no intention of forking out the £7m valuation that Man United have slapped on Hannibal's head.
As a result, both sides may have to relent on their stances if a deal is to go through this summer, and there is more incentive for Man United to either lower their asking price or accept an initial loan agreement.
The Red Devils paid Monaco £8.4m to sign a then-teenage Hannibal in 2019, but they are running the risk of losing him on a free transfer in 2025, a fate they could have experienced this summer had they not triggered a 12-month extension in his contract.
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Hannibal has made just 13 senior appearances for Man United since coming through the Carrington youth ranks, scoring one goal in a Premier League loss to Brighton & Hove Albion last September.
Could there be a way back for Hannibal at Man United?
Amid fears that a deal for Hannibal could collapse if neither Man United nor Rangers make concessions, the midfielder has been heavily involved in pre-season under Ten Hag.
While starts in the number 10 slot are unlikely if Fernandes and Mount are both fit, Hannibal has been deployed in a variety of positions throughout his career and could be an intriguing option on the wing.
Mason Greenwood is gone, Jadon Sancho should follow suit, Antony is still under-performing and Marcus Rashford regressed last term, so Hannibal has every right to hope for minutes on the flank next term.
However, Amad Diallo is now coming into his own at Old Trafford, so a parting of the ways this summer is still seen as the most likely outcome.
Ben Knapton
