Manchester United’s pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo is increasingly at risk after a deal had appeared a foregone conclusion just weeks ago.
Attacking the Attack
Ruben Amorim has prioritised an overhaul of his misfiring attacking unit this summer.
Only four teams scored fewer goals than United last season – Everton and the three relegated sides, Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton – as the club endured its worst campaign in the premier League era.
The Red Devils are seeking to agree exits for their quarter of unwanted wingers: Antony, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, and Alejandro Garnacho. But, so far, permanent deals have been difficult to find.
Similarly, United are open to the sale of Rasmus Hojlund with interest from Serie A, but talks have focused on loans rather than an outright transfer.
A new number nine is considered an urgent priority, though the number of options available on the market is rapidly dwindling with Liam Delap having rebuffed United’s advances and Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Oimshen both set to join other clubs.
A deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ forward Matheus Cunha was agreed last month after United triggered the Brazilian’s £62.5 million release clause at Molineux.
But the club had been hoping to follow that up with the capture of Mbeumo from Brentford to play on other side of the attack to Cunha. The 25-year-old forward returned 20 goals and eight assists in the league last season – only Mohammed Salah, Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland scored more.
Brentford Playing Hardball
United submitted two bids for the Cameroon international; the first worth £55 million (£45m + £10m in add-ons) and the second totalling £62.5 million (£55m + £7.5M in add-ons).
Brentford had cited the deal for Cunha as a threshold to sanction Mbeumo’s exit with the belief that the two players’ value in the market should be comparable.
However, recent deals elsewhere in the Premier League – Joao Pedro’s £60m move to Chelsea and Newcastle’s £55m raid for Anthony Elanga – has strengthened Brentford’s resolve that Mbeumo is worth far in excess of £60m by comparison, leading to the rejection of the second bid.
Standard Sport now reveals United are “weigh[ing] up a third bid” with both Mbeumo and Brentford becoming “frustrated with the slow progress of the deal.”
“Brentford are looking for a fee in excess of £63m and have been encouraged by the fees touted for Noni Madueke and Anthony Elanga in recent weeks, believing their valuation is not only fair but perhaps even lower than market value.
“Brentford director of football Phil Giles said last week he could envisage Mbeumo staying at the club next season and the forward is due back for the start of pre-season next Monday.
“Giles is known to be a shrewd negotiator and Brentford hold the option to extend Mbeumo’s contract until the end of the 2026-27 season, so are in a strong bargaining position and will not be forced to lower their valuation.”
However, Standard Sport maintains Mbeumo is still “expected to leave Brentford” with the Cameroonian having actively declared his wish to join United earlier this summer, amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.
But the report states the Bees will “not be held to ransom over their prized asset” and are “comfortable” keeping Mbeumo at the Gtech Community Stadium if their valuation is not met. The ball is firmly in United’s court now – and Mbeumo appears to be “growing increasingly frustrated” at the speed at which it is being returned.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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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.
