Manchester United are now reportedly the frontrunners to win the transfer race for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo.
United endured a dreadful 2024/25 season, scoring only 44 goals in the Premier League and finishing in a scarcely believable 15th place.
Ruben Amorim is desperate for more firepower up front and in addition to a striker, the Portuguese coach also wants reinforcements in the number 10 position. On Sunday, United confirmed the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Mbeumo is another player being strongly linked to the club.
Mbeumo enjoyed a superb 2024/25 campaign, netting a career-high 20 top-flight goals. He was one of the best attackers in the league and unsurprisingly, he has suitors lining up to lure him away from Brentford.
Brentford are resigned to losing the Cameroonian, though manager Thomas Frank made it clear that he won’t come cheap, with the Bees set to demand a significant transfer fee.
In addition to United, Arsenal and Newcastle have also been mentioned as admirers of Mbeumo. A recent report covered by The Peoples Person indicated that United are growing confident about their chances of warding off competition for the 25-year-old.
The Red Devils have already held talks with the player’s camp and things are progressing well.
Now, TEAMtalk report that United are the “favourites” to sign Mbeumo. Newcastle have also had “preliminary negotiations” with Mbeumo’s representatives but Amorim’s side “appear to hold the advantage right now.”
On why this is the case, TEAMtalk state, “Newcastle feel Brentford’s £60m valuation of Mbeumo is also on the steep side, feeling a price of £50m is more reflective for a player whose deal currently has just 12 months left to run, not taking into account their 12-month option on the arrangement.”
“United, for their part, are not ruling out matching such a fee if it ensures they beat off the competition for his signature, though they would likely now need to sanction at least one big-name sale to ensure they are not in breach of those strict PSR rules.”
“Sources have also told TEAMtalk transfer correspondent Fraser Fletcher that United, at this stage in the window, are seen as the side most likely to meet the Bees’ asking price and present a package that the London side will find impossible to refuse.”
Whether Newcastle table a bid for Mbeumo is in doubt but United are “steaming ahead” with their pursuit of the forward.
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
