Manchester United’s interest in Bryan Mbeumo could be dealt a decisive blow with Premier League rival Newcastle United ready to move for the 25-year-old winger immediately, according to a report.
Mbeumo has enjoyed a stellar campaign for Brentford as he finished the season with 20 goals and seven assists in the Premier League – only Mohammed Salah, Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland scored more.
In addition to his goal-scoring prowess, the Cameroonian international is extremely hard-working off the ball and positionally versatile, having played as a striker, a winger and at wing-back for the Bees in recent years.
It’s this combination of goals and versatility which will have put Mbeumo high on the wish list at United as the club searches for reinforcements in Ruben Amorim’s forward line after a dismal season at Old Trafford.
Wolverhampton Wanderers’ forward Matheus Cunha is United’s primary target this summer and a deal is set to be agreed over a £62.5 million move. A move for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap – the club’s “first-choice” option for a new number nine – is also underway as the England U-21 international’s contract at Portman Road contains a £30 million release clause.
United’s budget is thought to be in the £100 million range, meaning a move for both of these players will drain the vast majority of it. This would make a move for Mbeumo – valued at around £50 million by Brentford – dependent on departures from Old Trafford, which will take time to sanction.
And it’s this delay which is set to give Newcastle the edge in the race for the Cameroonian as the Tyneside club are “good to go” now, a source reveals to The Telegraph.
“Telegraph Sport understands that shortlists have been drawn up, top targets have been identified, a budget has been decided and everything, according to one well-placed source, is ‘good to go’.
“They added: ‘Everything is in place, all the work that has been done on players has been finished and now we have to push the button and get those deals done. We know who we want.’”
As such, the report states, Newcastle are “ready to make their first moves” for Mbeumo, as well as Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. But “speed is now of the essence, particularly as Newcastle are likely to face competition for the players they have identified as leading targets.
“Manchester United have also expressed an interest in [Mbeumo] but they are currently focused on the signing of Wolves’ Matheus Cunha and if Newcastle can move swiftly and agree a price with Brentford, they should be in pole position,” The Telegraph concludes.
The Red Devils mirror Newcastle’s interest in Mbeumo but will be unable to match the speed at which the Magpies are willing to close a deal for Brentford’s star man.
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
