Hannibal Mejbri is one name which is giving Rangers fans a semblance of hope this transfer window.
The 21-year-old Manchester United midfielder has been routinely linked with a move to Ibrox ever since turning out for the Red Devils at Murrayfield.
Early reports had suggested a deal to bring Hannibal to Rangers was ‘advanced’, but these were short-lived when the midfielder jetted out to United’s USA training camp.
But when Italian transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano told Caught Offside that Rangers hold a ‘genuine’ interest in Hannibal Mejbri this summer the links were resurrected.
The thing is – at least if reports in Tunisia are to be believed – so do Old Firm rivals Celtic.
Now, with the Old Trafford club stateside, there’s been another clue that Hannibal Mejbri is not a part of Erik Ten Hag’s plans at Manchester United this season.
Hannibal misses out
Hannibal Mejbri has been a part of Manchester United’s pre-season squad this season.
As we mentioned, the ex-Birmingham City and Sevilla loanee played against Rangers in that 2-0 defeat in Edinburgh whilst Mejbri has been with United in their pre-season tour of the USA.
But as the Red Devils wound up their tour against fierce Premier League rivals Liverpool, Hannibal never got a single minute in Colombia, South Carolina.
As Manchester United were humbled 3-0 by Arne Slot’s new-look Reds, Hannibal’s absence appeared to send a clear message about the midfielder’s status in Erik ten Hag’s squad.
With United now set to head back towards the UK, we suspect the midfielder’s final audition at the club has ended in tears with this pre-season the last chance for Hannibal to convince United bosses over a new deal.
Out of contract next summer, all the sounds suggest Manchester United want to offload Hannibal Mejbri permanently and Rangers fans will have one eye on how his situation progresses this summer.
Rangers need midfield reinforcements
Rangers are in dire need of transfer reinforcements in the middle of the pitch.
Speaking after the 0-0 draw with Hearts, Philippe Clement once again lamented the loss of midfield general John Lundstram this summer.
The Trabzonspor-bound midfielder played 52 times last season and Rangers are yet to replace the player like-for-like this summer.
Hannibal would not be expected to come and replace the leadership role of Lunny but the 21-year-old could boost Rangers’ limited options in the middle of the park.
Mohamed Diomande and Connor Barron have been relied on heavily in pre-season, whilst Nicolas Raskin remains sidelined with an injury.
The jury remains out about the likes of Kieran Dowell in the position and Rangers have been linked to a number of experienced midfield options this summer.
These include Kenny McLean of Norwich City, Joan Jordan of Seville and most recently, Dutch midfielder Marco van Ginkel, who has just been released by Vitesse Arnhem.
