Manchester United have high hopes for teenager Hannibal Mejbri – and details have emerged on how they pipped Tottenham Hotspur.
The Athletic claim that Tottenham seemed to be leading the race for Mejbri’s signature back in the summer of 2019.
Then with Monaco, Mejbri was considered to be one of the top young prospects in Europe and Tottenham wanted him.
However, United allegedly leapfrogged Tottenham in the race for Mejbri and struck a deal worth around €10million (£8.4million).
The way United got ahead of Tottenham? It’s claimed that John Murtough invited Mejbri to watch a pre-season friendly in Oslo, Norway.
Mejbri seemingly attended and was so impressed with United’s overtures that the Red Devils pipped Tottenham.
Mejbri, 19, has only played once for United’s first team but looks set for a huge future at Old Trafford.
Remarkably, Mejbri already has 11 caps for Tunisia, playing more regularly for his country than his club.
Branded ‘exceptional’ by The Times thanks to his balance and range of passing, it looks like Mejbri is on a path to stardom.
Missing out will have really stung Tottenham, who will have been confident of bringing a real wonderkid to North London.
United swooped in, robbing Tottenham of what looked like an exciting deal.
Tottenham will still have high hopes for their own young midfielders like Oliver Skipp, Harvey White and 2020 recruit Alfie Devine, but Mejbri could be something truly outstanding.
Mejbri needs the chances to show his quality though, and just one first-team appearance at 19 suggests the pathway just hasn’t been there yet.
That’s maybe where a move to Tottenham could have been better, but Mejbri will hope for long-term benefits from joining one of the world’s biggest clubs.
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