Luton are heavy favourites to beat Leicester to the signing of a Man Utd star whose key demand is near-impossible for Erik ten Hag to satisfy, per a report.

Pre-season offers a chance for managers to get a closer look at both the younger players and fringe stars within their squad. One man who ticks both of those boxes at Man Utd is combative midfielder, Hannibal Mejbri.

The 20-year-old impressed during a season-long loan with Birmingham City last season. He’s since been integrated into Ten Hag’s pre-season plans, featuring in three of United’s four matches thus far.

However, according to Tunisian outlet Noussour TN, Hannibal is likely to be on the move very shortly.

Firstly, they state Hannibal is courting interest from three sides. Newly-promoted Luton Town and relegated Leicester City are two, though the third remains a mystery for the time being.

In any case, it’s Luton who are clear frontrunners to sign Hannibal thanks to the player’s insistence he join a Premier League club if leaving Man Utd.

Hannibal has one year left on his current deal at Old Trafford, though United do hold an option for an extra 12 months.

As such, a loan exit is viable if United intend to activate the option. That scenario would see Hannibal put himself in the shop window in the Premier League ahead of a potential permanent exit that would generate a transfer fee 12 months from now.

The Sun add their take to the situation, suggesting Man Utd could cash in right here and now. However, Noussour TN are of the view a loan exit is more probable.

Indeed, the Tunisian outlet claim Man Utd are considering a loan exit and per their report, Hannibal will be on board with a departure.

International ambitions put Ten Hag in tricky spot

Explaining why, it’s stated Hannibal wants the ‘certainty of playing matches’ in the upcoming season. Try as he might, that’s not a demand Ten Hag will be able to fulfil at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman has far higher profile options available in the central positions Hannibal could play. Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes and a potential new signing such as Sofyan Amrabat won’t be dislodged easily.

An exit thus makes sense, with Hannibal determined to be at the peak of his powers when Tunisia compete in the 2023 African Cup of Nations. That tournament takes place just after the turn of the year and Hannibal hopes to make a big impact for his country.

With Luton able to offer more regular gametime than Man Utd and also in the top flight, it’s the Hatters who are best placed to sign Hannibal this window.

Whether a loan or permanent exit will be explored should soon become clear.

Edwards: It Was a Really Difficult Game

Luton Town boss Rob Edwards believes the Blues will cause a lot of problems in the Championship in the season ahead, admitting that last night’s 1-1 draw between his newly-promoted Premier League side and Kieran McKenna’s team was a tough match.

Wes Burns’s cross-shot gave the Suffolk side the lead with the Hatters levelling late on via a Carlton Morris penalty.

“It was a really difficult game,” Edwards told his club’s official website. “That is why we wanted to play Ipswich, because they are a good team and will cause a lot of problems this season in the Championship.

“That’s why we wanted that style of game because going forward, we’ll get that style of game at a higher level.

“We’ve picked up no injuries, we are starting to push one or two players as well by giving 90 minutes to a few. Some of the new players are getting a feel for what we are about, so there were positives there.

“Still lots to work on, I have to stress that straight away. It’s not to sound negative, but I just spoke to the boys and that team out there isn’t what I anticipate it to be in a couple of weeks [when the season proper gets under way].

“The group itself will remain very similar, but there will be some changes. We’ve got some work to do, I’ve got some work to do on the grass.

“We have to be a bit better with our decision making, especially in the first half. Out of possession we could have been better, which is down to me.

“There are bits to work on, but there were plenty of positives tonight, I think about the individuals and the minutes they got. It’s another good shift in the bank, building up to Saturday at Sheffield Wednesday which will be another difficult game.”