Erik ten Hag faces a big decision over Manchester United star Hannibal Mejbri with the youngster's future at Old Trafford seemingly in the balance.
The Tunisian international has been at the club since 2019, coming through the ranks to make his first team debut in the 2020/21 campaign. But after making just three first team appearances in two seasons, the now 20-year-old was shipped out to Birmingham City on loan to gain regular football.
And the French born midfielder duly impressed at St Andrew's, making 38 appearances and bagging his first senior goal with a spectacular free kick against West Brom. But Mejbri has now returned to Manchester to try and fight for a place in Ten Hag's set up.
The notion of him commanding a regular starting spot at United currently appears a distant one, with Casemiro, Christian Eriksen, and Bruno Fernandes all undoubtedly ahead of him. The Red Devils are also hotly pursuing Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, and have had two bids rejected for the England international.
German outlet Bild are reporting that Borussia Dortmund are tracking the youngster, and are weighing up a potential £13million bid. They claim that the former French youth international is also being pursued by a number of other European clubs.
It follows speculation in January that Meijbri, who was snapped up from Monaco by United when he was just 16, was being courted by French giants Marseille. But a move never materialised and he continued to enhance his reputation in the Championship.
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It leaves Ten Hag with a critical call to make. Mejbri is considered a star for the future at Old Trafford, but whether the manager is prepared to keep him on the books for a prolonged period without using him regularly remains to be seen.
And recuperating transfer fees may be critical to the Dutchman this summer as he targets a host of reinforcements to build on a promising first season in charge. His main target his new striker, with primary target Harry Kane set to cost in the region of £100 million.
Ten Hag may also consider sending the youngster out on loan again, although the summer transfer policy at United remains clouded in ambiguity as the takeover sage continues to drag on. The Glazer family are still weighing up whether to accept the bids of Sheikh Jassim or Sir Jim Ratcliffe, having initially put the club up for sale back in November.
