Manchester United have submitted an opening bid to sign Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo.
The Red Devils kick-started their summer rebuild by agreeing a £62.5million deal for Matheus Cunha, who will join the club from Wolves subject to visa approval and registration procedures.
But Old Trafford bosses are determined to further bolster Ruben Amorim’s misfiring attack on the back of their miserable campaign and Mbeumo finds himself at the top of United’s wishlist.
It’s understood United began talks with Brentford to discuss a move for Mbeumo last week, with the Cameroon international said to be eager to push through a switch to the Theatre of Dreams.
United’s interest comes after a magnificent season for Mbeumo, 25, who racked up 20 goals and seven assists in 38 appearances for the Bees. Only Erling Haaland, Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah outscored him in the Premier League last term.
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According to The Athletic, United’s opening offer of £45m – plus £10m in add-ons – is some way short of the fee Brentford are demanding for their top goalscorer.
It’s understood the Bees are holding out for a sum closer to £60m from United and discussions are ongoing between the two clubs.
Mbeumo has just 12 months remaining on his current contract at the Gtech Community Stadium.
After the season came to an end, Thomas Frank admitted he was powerless to preventing Mbeumo from leaving given Brentford are a ‘selling club’.
‘I can definitely understand the interest in him,’ the Brentford head coach told reporters.
‘There should be interest in him. He is at his best age, he has scored 20 goals.
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‘I would like to keep him but we are a selling club so if someone comes in with the right price…’
It seems Mbeumo’s team-mates are also resigned to the prospect of the forward making way this summer, with Christian Norgaard telling Sky Sports: ‘I think Bryan is likely to go.
‘I don’t know about [Yoanne] Wissa yet. Everyone hopes that he might stay.
‘Either way, I’m happy for the season and am happy for both of them. They deserve it so much.’
Mbeumo has spent six years with with Brentford, finding the back of the net 70 times in his 242 appearances for the west London outfit.
Brentford stand to make a significant profit on Mbeumo given they signed the attacker from Troyes for a fee of just £5.8million – a then club-record – back in 2019.
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