Rangers and Manchester United talks over loan-to-buy deal to send Hannibal Mejbri to Ibrox

Rangers and Manchester United are now in talks over a deal for midfielder Hannibal Mejbri before the end of the transfer window, TEAMtalk report.

According to the outlet's website on 30 July the two sides are now engaged in negotiations for the Tunisian with the Light Blues looking for a loan with a potential permanent option attached.

Philippe Clement's side are however not expected to go as high as the £7million asking price put on the 21-year-old's head at Old Trafford for any permanent clause, so it will reportedly require concessions on both sides to prevent the deal from collapsing.

Fabrizio Romano reported on 29 July that there was "genuine interest" from Ibrox in Mejbri who is expected to leave Manchester within a matter of days.

Philippe Clement wants to bring Old Trafford ace to Rangers

It would be a significant surprise if the Light Blues committed to such a big fee for a player who has never played in Scotland, having been burned previously on high-profile loans such as Aaron Ramsey and fellow United youngster Amad Diallo.

The Belgian already has a pair of talented youngsters in central midfield after signing former Aberdeen man Connor Barron this summer to go alongside Mohamed Diomande, who has been tipped to generate a "small fortune" in the transfer market by Barry Ferguson on Go Radio (29 July).

A senior option to guide the two was thought to be on the agenda next amid an increasingly-confusing pursuit of Joan Jordan from Sevilla [ABC, 29 July].

At 21 Mejbri clearly wouldn't be that and there may be slight concerns around his focus after his loan to the Spanish side last term quickly turned sour and he was frozen out by Quique Sanchez Flores [The Sun, 1 April].

There is surely talent there and his combative reputation may see him thrive in the Scottish Premiership so, having lost Ryan Jack and John Lundstram in the middle, Clement seems to be looking to boost numbers.

But whether the numbers involved render an agreement with INEOS at United impossible remains to be seen.

In other Rangers news, an "strange" key departure this summer is expected and has left one pundit baffled.

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