Rangers’ chances of signing Hannibal Mejbri appear slim as it stands, with reports claiming Celtic could be in a better position to land the Manchester United midfielder. 

The Scottish Premiership giants are both credited with interest in Mejbri, who had mixed experiences out on loan at Sevilla and Birmingham City over the past two seasons. 

Renowned transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, broke the initial story last month and he’s returned back to provide an update by confirming Manchester United’s stance on allowing the Tunisian internationalist to leave.

It appears the English Premier League giants may prefer to cash in on the 21-year-old this summer. Something that may make him out of reach for Rangers - who enquired specifically to take the United fringe player on-loan.

The painful thing for Gers supporters is this could work in their league rivals favour, particularly if Celtic land a huge windfall for the sale of Matt O'Riley before the transfer window closes.

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During an interview with GiveMeSport where Romano discussed the potential exits and incomings at Old Trafford, the transfer guru also touched on the situation around Mejbri. 

“Yes, there was an interest (from Rangers)," he explained.

"It’s true. But Man United are only interested in permanent transfer.

“So, that means selling the player on a permanent transfer, not a new loan. And at the moment, for Rangers, that could be quite difficult.

“So the conversation is true, the interest is true. But the formula of the transfer is going to be crucial to understand the future of Hannibal.”

The Red Devils starlet has been backed to shine should he seal a switch to the Scottish Premiership by Andy Cole.

“He’s a kid that’s had a taste of first-team football that naturally wants to play more and more,” the former Manchester United striker told BetFred.

“At Sevilla, there was an option in his deal that would have allowed him to join them permanently, so it looks as if there’s an open door allowing him to move on.

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“If he has the opportunity to move to either Celtic or Rangers, then why not? It’s that simple.

“He’s going to find it difficult to get into the Manchester United team, so it will be interesting to see if the club decides to move him on and either loan him out or try and get a decent transfer fee for him and then use that money to try and do some business elsewhere. It would be an interesting one.”