Brentford are preparing for life without Bryan Mbeumo, eyeing up Ipswich Town star Omari Hutchinson as a potential replacement.
Manchester United’s pursuit of Mbeumo is proving to be one of the transfer sagas of the summer, with the Bees rejecting two bids from the Red Devils so far.
The Cameroon international remains Manchester United’s top transfer target and negotiations continue, but they are dragging on.
Brentford are planning for what they will do if Mbeumo does leave, though, and are looking to a Championship player as a possible replacement.
Hutchinson made his professional debut with Chelsea in January 2023 but only ever managed two appearances for the Blues.
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He was loaned to Ipswich for the 2023-24 season which went very well as the Tractor Boys were promoted from the Championship, with the youngster making 50 appearances in all competitions, scoring 11 goals.
A permanent deal was struck last summer and Hutchinson made 32 appearances over the last campaign, which ended in Ipswich being relegated back to the second tier.
Still just 21 years old, Hutchinson remains highly rated and Brentford are interested in giving him another shot at the Premier League.
His reputation was further enhanced as a regular for England on their way to winning the European Under-21 Championship this summer.
Hutchinson started and scored in the final, which saw Lee Carsley’s side beat Germany 3-2.
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that he is on Brentford’s shopping list if they do need to replace Mbeumo, but how much he will cost is not clear.
The youngster signed a five-year contract with Ipswich when he arrived last year in a £20m deal and the Championship side would hope to make a profit on that amount.
Brentford are open to selling Mbeumo, but want at least £65m for the forward, which Manchester United are yet to offer.
The best bid the Red Devils have put forward so far was worth an initial £55m plus £7.5m in add-ons.
It is not exactly far away, but the Old Trafford giants are yet to come back with an improved bid to satisfy the Bees.
There is some time pressure on Manchester United to get the deal done as there is also interest in Brentford’s other star forward, Yoana Wissa.
The likes of Newcastle, Tottenham and Nottingham Forest are all keen on Wissa, but Brentford would not sell both, so if he leaves before Mbeumo then Manchester United’s hopes will likely be dashed.