Manchester United have been chasing Bryan Mbeumo all summer following reports they’d agreed terms with the versatile Brentford attacker last month.
Mbeumo was vital for the Bees last season, scoring 20 times as he stepped out of Ivan Toney’s shadow to become the club’s primary attacking force. The Cameroon international also provided seven assists for the west London outfit and interest in his services over the summer was always going to be high.
United acted swiftly to get the ball rolling for Mbeumo, whose preference is an Old Trafford switch should he leave Brentford this summer. However, United are yet to agree a fee for the player, having seen two bids for the 25-year-old rebuffed by Brentford.
Brentford have slapped a £65m price tag on Mbeumo, who was also linked with a move to Tottenham following their appointment of Thomas Frank. Frank left for the Tottenham Hostpur Stadium last month after Spurs relieved Ange Postecoglou despite their Europa League triumph.
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And Brentford made an internal appointment to succeed Frank, with Keith Andrews named new head coach in the capital. Andrews moved to Brentford last summer, leaving Sheffield United and joining the Bees as set-piece coach before his promotion to head coach at the end of June.
Andrews appointment delayed Mbeumo exit
The decision to appoint Andrews as head coach delayed the deal that would have taken Mbeumo and United.
United felt they were close to a breakthrough in negotiations with Brentford but Andrews’ appointment threw a spanner in the works, according to Manchester Evening News.
Ruben Amorim’s side remain keen on Mbeumo and are hoping to sign the forward before they jet off to the US for their pre-season tour next week.
United are currently in Sweden before heading stateside and face rivals Leeds in Stockholm this weekend.
Brentford supremo hints forward may stay
Brentford, meanwhile, will only engage in transfer dealings if it benefits the club, according to the club’s Director of Football, Phil Giles.
“We've made our point clear. If Bryan earned a massive move now and it was right for us financially, we'd be open to it,” Giles said.
Giles also suggested that the door is open for Mbeumo remaining in west London, adding: “But if he ended up here with us next season, I wouldn't be massively surprised. We'd be delighted. And it would save me a massive headache, frankly.”
Mbeumo is contracted to Brentford until 2026, but the club do have the option of extending for a further year.
Brentford, meanwhile, have identified Mbeumo’s replacement should he leave for United with Ipswich’s Omari Hutchinson top of the club’s wish list.
Hutchinson was directly involved in five league goals last season, scoring three times, as the 21-year-old, along with new Chelsea striker Liam Delap, caught the eye for the relegated Tractor Boys.
Topics: Brentford, Football, Manchester United, Premier League, Transfer News
Ben McAleer