Manchester United have made an improved bid to sign Bryan Mbeumo in a bid to finally complete the signing of the Cameroon stay from Brentford.
United had a second bid of up to £62.5million for Mbeumo rejected by Brentford at the end of June, but the winger has informed his club that he only wants to move to Old Trafford this summer.
The forward has been one of United’s most sought-after targets, with their first bid of £55m rejected as Ruben Amorim looks to recruit reinforcements to his struggling attack.
The forward, who scored 20 Premier League goals for the Bees last term, has also accrued interest from Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Tottenham, who are now managed by former Brentford boss Thomas Frank.
Things had gone quiet over the last few weeks, with concern that United had not met the asking price and a lack of progress made. Now, though, that appears to have changed.
The offer, though, is now worth £65million plus £5m in add-ons, with the Red Devils awaiting a response from the Bees.
United’s pursuit of Mbeumo had previously taken a hit when Spurs made their desire over a potential move known, and it left the player himself with a dilemma.
Amorim and Co had hoped to have Mbeumo in their squad for the start of pre-season, with players due to report back to Carrington from the week commencing July 7.
Finding the back of the net proved to be one of the biggest problems for United last season and that is one of the reasons why Mbeumo is seen as such a priority signing by director of football Jason Wilcox and the rest of the footballing hierarchy.
The Red Devils scored just 44 goals in the Premier League which was the second lowest of any non-relegated side – a record low since the division was rebranded back in 1992.
Since joining for Brentford for a £5.8m transfer fee back in 2019, Mbeumo has scored 70 goals in 242 games, including 42 in 136 Premier League matches, flourishing into one of the deadliest attackers in the division.
This has all come under the stewardship of Frank, who was unveiled as Tottenham’s new head coach – following the sacking of Ange Postecoglou – last month, having spent nine years at the Bees, seven of which came as manager.
While Mbeumo had previously expressed a preference to move to the red side of Manchester, Tottenham were willing to test that resolve following the appointment of the winger’s former boss.
However, following two weeks of deliberation, Mbeumo decided that he only wants to move to United, and informed both Frank and the Bees of that wish.
The 25-year-old, who sees his contract expire next year – although Brentford have an option to extend it by 12 months – would become United’s third signing of the summer behind the £62.5m Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon, who joined for £7m.
United kick off their pre-season campaign against Leeds on Saturday, while they will also face West Ham, Bournemouth, Everton and Fiorentina before getting their season underway against Arsenal in a month.
It is understood that the salary on offer to the winger – who is believed to hope for a mammoth £250,000-a-week – at United would be higher than what Spurs can offer the forward.
Mail Sport understands that the figure was quoted to the clubs who were interested in Mbeumo, although it is unclear whether United will reach it in their bid to sign him.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand, meanwhile, had warned his former side over the embarrassment of missing out on the deal.
‘Man United need to find a way of meeting Brentford’s valuation,’ Ferdinand said on Rio Ferdinand Presents. ‘The proposal doesn’t seem to be enough for Brentford, but Manchester United need to get this done.
‘It’s been in the news for far too long, to get to a situation to get to the end of the window and it doesn’t happen, I think that will be an egg-on-the-face situation for Man United unless they go and get someone else. Who have they got waiting in the wings as an alternative? We haven’t heard any names that are close.
‘I would be surprised if this deal doesn’t go through, United have allowed it to go public and they are in a position now where they have to make a move to get it over the line.
Ferdinand said United would be left with an ‘egg-on-the-face situation’ if the move isn’t completed
‘I will repeat myself. he fits the bill for me physically, he is dynamic, scores goals in the Premier League, knows the premier league, watch this space.’
Earlier this week, meanwhile, Brentford had shared a snap of their players returning to training, with Mbeumo present.
The forward appeared in good spirits as he walked in from the car park alone, greeting staff as the last member of the squad to arrive in the video.
