Manchester United are reportedly reluctant to let midfielder Hannibal Mejbri leave Old Trafford, despite late interest from Turkish giants Besiktas.
According to Turkish outlet Fanatik, Besiktas are reportedly pushing to secure the services of Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri, and are waiting to see if Erik ten Hag will allow him to move before the Turkish transfer window comes to an end on Friday.
Mejbri has played three times for United since he joined the club’s academy from Monaco in a €10 million deal in 2019. The 20-year-old spent a successful loan spell at Birmingham City last term, contributing one goal and five assists in 38 appearances for the Blues.
He was linked with a move away from the Red Devils over the summer and was close to joining newly-promoted English top-flight side Luton Town on loan, but that transfer never materialised, and he stayed at Old Trafford past the Premier League deadline.
There has been a host of speculation surrounding the midfielder’s future over the last week or so, with Besiktas emerging as a potential destination late in the market, with the Turkish window still open for another week.
Besiktas have already made contact with Manchester United to discuss a possible move. The report claims that they initially wanted to sign the midfielder on loan with a purchase option, but United don’t want him to lose on a permanent basis.
The Super Lig outfit are now apparently looking for a straight loan deal without any purchase option. The Tunisian midfielder is open to a move away to get regular minutes and is now waiting to see whether he will be allowed out before the deadline in Turkey or face a season as a fringe player under Erik ten Hag.
The report adds that Man United were “not very keen on this proposal,” with Red Devils boss Ten Hag still “undecided about the Tunisian star leaving Old Trafford this summer” due to the competition for places in the middle of the park.
Ten Hag sees the Tunisian international as a player who can make an impact on the first team this season and, as such, is eager for the midfielder to stay and develop at the club rather than heading off elsewhere after he made a strong impression during pre-season.
Having said that, it’s difficult to see him getting much game time if he remains at the Theatre of Dreams. The Red Devils already have three options for the holding midfield role, namely Casemiro, Sofyan Amrabat, and Kob Mainoo.
Ten Hag utilised Hannibal as an attacking midfielder during pre-season. The youngster showed great tenacity and proved to be a pressing machine. However, with all of Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount, Scott McTominay, and Bruno Fernandes battling it out for the number eight and ten spots, Mejbri will find it hard to get regular minutes under his belt with United.
His best chance to feature for the first team will likely be in the cup competitions, the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup. In contrast, a loan would make sense, as regular game time would serve him well for next season.
