Chelsea have been urged to ruin Manchester United’s transfer plans as Ruben Amorim closes in on his second summer signing.
Amorim has already welcomed Matheus Cunha to Old Trafford, United triggering his £62.5m release clause and signing him from Wolves.
Manchester United are now working on a deal for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo but Frank Leboeuf wants Chelsea to sign him instead.
Mbeumo enjoyed a superb 2024-25 campaign in west London, scoring 20 goals and providing seven assists in the Premier League alone.
The 25-year-old will add some much-needed firepower to a Manchester United side that finished just 15th in the league last season.
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Amorim has sanctioned a move for Mbeumo as the club prepare to offload several forwards, including Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Antony.
Mbeumo has reportedly decided to join United ahead of Arsenal but Leboeuf has questioned why Chelsea did not make a move for a forward on their doorstep.
Chelsea are looking to bolster Enzo Maresca’s attacking options despite qualifying for the Champions League and lifting the Conference League trophy last season.
That is because Nicolas Jackson endured an inconsistent season in front of goal and £52m signing Christopher Nkunku fared ever worse and is set to be sold.
Liam Delap, the Ipswich Town striker, is set to move to Stamford Bridge for £30m but Chelsea are interested in moves for other forwards.
‘The expectation is going to be big and the pressure will be huge,’ Leboeuf told ESPN when asked about Delap joining Chelsea. ‘Hopefully it’s going to work but we won’t know until he gets there and starts playing games.
‘I was wondering why Bryan Mbeumo doesn’t want to come to Chelsea. Was it a possibility or not?
‘Maybe he knows better but I would have loved to see him at Chelsea and think he would have been very good for the club.’
While Chelsea do not appear to be in the running to sign Mbeumo, they have expressed interest in signing French goalkeeper Mike Maignan from AC Milan.
Leboeuf is an admirer of ‘exceptional’ Maignan but believes his former club should prioritise a move for an experienced centre-back over a new shot-stopper.
‘I love Mike and think the guy is so exceptional and would fit perfectly at Chelsea,’ he added.
‘But if Chelsea are going to make an exception in their transfers they should get a new Thiago Silva, that would be better than an experienced goalkeeper.
‘That would be my decision. But if they decide to go for Mike, that’s a good decision as he is the real deal. He would be very useful to Chelsea.’
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has endorsed his former club’s move for Mbeumo and believes Cunha will also thrive at Old Trafford.
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