Former Manchester United centre-back Rio Ferdinand has warned INEOS that they could be left with ‘egg on their face’ if they fail to sign Bryan Mbeumo.
The Cameroon international is wanted by United and reports last month suggested that personal terms between both player and club had been agreed.
However, both Brentford and United are yet to reach an agreement for Mbeumo, who has said he’d only leave the Gtech Community Stadium for Old Trafford if he does move on this summer.
United have lodged two offers for Mbeumo, with Brentford rejecting both, and Ruben Amorim’s side are now considering a third in their bid to convince the Bees to sell.
Man Utd failing to match Brentford's asking price
Brentford have set a £65m asking price for the 20-goal forward, and are not budging on their valuation of the versatile attacker.
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The west London side also face the prospect of losing Yoane Wissa, who has been linked with a move to Tottenham, and the club would be reluctant to lose the two strikers, who scored a combined 39 league goals last season, in the same summer.
And Ferdinand is now worried that United could end up with ‘egg on their face’ should the deal fail to materialise.
Egg and Man Utd's face could be in alignment
“[Mbeumo] has told Tottenham, he’s told Brentford that he only wants to join Manchester United,” Ferdinand said on his Rio Presents YouTube channel.
“So Man Utd and Brentford have to come together and find a way of… well, Man Utd have to find a way of meeting Brentford’s valuation. I think the proposal is £55m with £7.5m add-ons. That doesn’t seem to be enough, maybe, for Brentford, but I think Man Utd have to get this done.
“I think it’s been in the news for far too long to get to a situation where you get to the end of the window and it doesn’t happen.
“I think that would be a custard, egg on your face situation for Man United, unless they go and get someone else, another striker. Who have they got waiting in the wings as an alternative?
“We haven’t heard, really, any other names that it seems to be getting close with. So, I’ll be surprised if this deal doesn’t go through, because Man Utd have been adamant.
“It’s gone public, they’ve allowed that to happen, and they’re in a position now where they’ve got to make a move to kind of get this over the line.”
Ferdinand did add that he fully understands why United are pushing to sign Mbeumo after his memorable season in the capital.
Brentford star fits the bill
“He fits the bill for me physically. He’s dynamic, scores goals in the Premier League, knows the Premier League. Watch this space,” Ferdinand continued.
United have signed both Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon from Wolves and Cerro Porteno, respectively, this summer.
However, the delay over a concrete move for Mbeumo threatens to derail the club’s pre-season plans.
Topics: Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand, Transfer News, Premier League, Brentford, Football
Ben McAleer