Manchester United are reportedly stepping up their pursuit of Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo with an improved offer exceeding £60 million. This move comes as they face competition from Tottenham Hotspur, who recently appointed Mbeumo's former Brentford boss, Thomas Frank, adding another layer of intrigue to the transfer saga.
United's initial bid, believed to be around £45 million plus £10 million in add-ons, was rejected by Brentford. The Bees are understood to be holding out for a fee closer to the £62.5 million that Manchester United paid to secure Matheus Cunha from Wolves. Brentford are in a strong negotiating position, as they have the option to extend Mbeumo's contract, which expires in June 2026, by an additional year.
Several sources indicate that Mbeumo has already agreed to personal terms with Manchester United and is keen on a move to Old Trafford. Despite Tottenham's interest and Frank's presence, the player's preference is believed to be with the Red Devils.
The potential acquisition of Mbeumo is part of a broader attacking overhaul planned by United's head coach, Ruben Amorim. Amorim, seeking to rebuild the squad after a disappointing season, has already brought in Cunha and views Mbeumo as a key addition to his attacking options. Reports suggest that Amorim is keen to deploy Mbeumo and Cunha as twin number 10s in a 3-4-3 formation. This could potentially impact the playing time of other attacking players like Amad, Marcus Rashford, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Alejandro Garnacho with some potentially being put up for sale to make room in the budget.
However, the deal isn't without its complications. Brentford reportedly wants the majority of the transfer fee paid upfront, rather than in installments over several years. This could pose a challenge for United, who were initially looking to structure the Cunha deal over five years before eventually agreeing to Wolves' terms of three installments over two seasons. This financial aspect could potentially open the door for Tottenham if United are unable to meet Brentford's demands.
Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has urged the club to persist in their pursuit of Mbeumo, even at the £60 million price tag. Saha emphasized the importance of signing players who are committed to the club and its badge, rather than being motivated solely by financial gain. He also suggested that Mbeumo should put pressure on his agent to finalize the deal if he is genuinely keen on joining Manchester United.
Mbeumo has just enjoyed his best season to date, scoring 20 goals in the Premier League for the Bees and also providing eight assists. His versatility and ability to take charge of games would be a valuable asset for Manchester United. He opened the scoring in 10 of Brentford's 38 top-flight matches and has shown the ability to channel his competitive edge into productive performances.
The coming days are likely to be crucial in determining whether Manchester United can successfully land Bryan Mbeumo. Overcoming Brentford's financial demands and fending off Tottenham's interest will be key to securing the services of the highly-rated Cameroon international.
