'In the next days' - Fabrizio Romano: Man Utd player about to leave amid 'Genuine' Rangers pursuit

Hannibal Mejbri is expected to leave Manchester United within days as Rangers look to sign the young midfielder, says Fabrizio Romano.

Speaking on The Debrief for Caught Offside on 29 July the Italian journalist reported there was “genuine interest” from the Light Blues in the Tunisian international who should be on the move imminently.

Philippe Clement is trying to further strengthen in central midfield after landing ex-Aberdeen youngster Connor Barron, but has seen moves for experienced options in Norwich City captain Kenny McLean [Norwich Evening News, 20 July] and now Sevilla veteran Joan Jordan [Scottish Sun, 28 July] fail.

Romano said of the situation at Old Trafford (6m 40s): “Yeah I think there will be some more exits. For example Hannibal Mejbri will be out, I think, in the next days.

“They want to sell him on a permanent transfer and there is genuine interest from Rangers.”

Philippe Clement wants Old Trafford ace at Rangers

Mejbri wouldn’t be the senior option that the Light Blues are said to badly need in the middle to help lead their youthful pairing of Barron and Mohamed Diomande.

The 21-year-old already has 27 international caps to his name but is comparatively inexperienced at club level outside of a campaign as a regular on loan at Birmingham City in the Championship two seasons ago, with just 13 senior United outings.

He joined Jordan at Sevilla last January but only made six brief appearances amid concerns about his attitude [Estadio Deportivo, 15 February] and his permanent option was not triggered.

That appears not to have been a red flag for Clement, which may be a surprise when the Belgian is already looking for a senior presence to lead the midfield unit.

His tricky relationship with Todd Cantwell also suggests he doesn’t take too kindly to players who aren’t completely dialled into his way of doing things, after revealing the Englishman has asked to leave [Sky Sports, 25 July].

If only a permanent deal is on the table from INEOS it might make a deal for Mejbri impossible anyway when there looks to be various other signings still to be made.

But if Clement and Koppen believe the youngster’s combative nature would see him thrive in the Scottish Premiership and the manager can keep him focused it looks like he is very much available if the funds are there.

In other Rangers news, Clement has issued a direct response to the latest links to Lawrence Shankland.

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