Another day, another imminent departure from Manchester United.
To think, only a few weeks ago, there were concerns about the slow pace of developments when it came to trimming the fat from a bloated Red Devils’ squad.
Now, since mid-August, Manchester United have managed to move on Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Facundo Pellistri, Will Fish and Maxi Oyedele on permanent deals, with Scott McTominay, Jadon Sancho and now Hannibal Mejbri likely to follow before the window closes at the start of September.
McTominay is set to join 2023 Italian champions Napoli for a fee of £25 million.
After seemingly getting cold feet about a proposed switch to Fulham and with Galatasaray possessing the ambition but not the means, the Scotland powerhouse appears to have found a club with the perfect balance of stature and financial firepower.
Sancho, meanwhile, was left out of Erik ten Hag’s squad again for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat by Brighton and Hove Albion. Chelsea, Sky Sports say, could look to lure the Camberwell-born Sancho back to London while potentially offering a player or two in exchange.
Though, fearing for an already overworked fitness department, let’s just hope Ben Chilwell is not the one who moves in the other direction.
Hannibal Mejbri set for exit
As for Hannibal Mejbri, Fabrizio Romano reports that the Carrington graduate has verbally agreed a move to Burnley in England’s second tier.
The Tunisia international has completed his medical at Turf Moor and a deal will include a sell-on clause.
Hannibal is one of those who has been linked regularly with a move away from Old Trafford throughout the summer window.
A potential move to Sevilla slipped through his grasp after a difficult loan spell at the La Liga outfit in the second half of last term – the £17 million option-to-buy clause in his contract going un-triggered – but Burnley have now arrived onto the scene to rescue Hannibal from months on the sidelines.
A deal will be permanent, although it remains to be seen how much the fee will be.
Scott Parker’s side do have plenty of cash with which to splash, however. They earned £25 million via the sale of Sander Berge to Fulham last week.
Interestingly, Berge had held discussions with Man United too, though the Red Devils opted to press ahead with their number one midfield target Manuel Ugarte.
Hannibal Mejbri set for Burnley rather than Rangers
As for Hannibal, another loan was never really on the cards with the Red Devils looking to cut ties with a player who joined from Monaco back in 2019 as an £8.5 million 16-year-old.
Romano, speaking to Give Me Sport earlier in August, confirmed that Scottish giants Rangers had shown an interest too. But, given the superior financial muscle of clubs south of the border, Philippe Clement’s Glasgow powerhouses never really had any hope once Man United decided to sell.
“Yes, there was an interest (from Rangers). It’s true,” Romano explained. “But Man United are only interested in permanent transfer. So, (that means) selling the player on a permanent transfer, not a new loan.”
- READ MORE: Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2024/25
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