Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo has decided he wants to push through a move to Manchester United, despite attracting strong interest from the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle.
The Red Devils kicked off their summer recruitment drive by agreeing a £62.5million deal for Matheus Cunha, who will join the club from Wolves subject to subject to visa approval and registration procedures.
But Old Trafford bosses are determined to further strengthen Ruben Amorim’s misfiring attack on the back of their miserable campaign – and widespread reports last week claimed initial talks had taken place to sign Mbeumo.
Mbeumo, 25, enjoyed an excellent season for Brentford, racking up 20 goals and seven assists in the Premier League to further cement his status as one of the most underappreciated forwards in English football.
Only Erling Haaland, Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah outscored Mbeumo in the top flight this term.
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While Arsenal, Spurs and Newcastle have all been keeping close tabs on developments surrounding Mbeumo, the Cameroon international favours a switch to United, according to The Athletic.
The report suggests United will now turn their attentions to reaching an agreement with Brentford. It’s understood the Bees will demand a fee of between £40-50million for their top goalscorer.
After Brentford’s season drew to a close, Thomas Frank admitted he was powerless to preventing Mbeumo from leaving if club decided it was in their best interest.
‘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.
‘I would like to keep him but we are a selling club so if someone comes in with the right price…’
It appears Mbeumo’s team-mates are also resigned to the prospect of the forward departing 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 just 12 months remaining on his current contract at the Gtech Community Stadium.
The France-born attacker has spent six years with the Bees, finding the back of the net 70 times in his 242 appearances for the west London outfit.
Brentford stand to make a tidy profit on Mbeumo considering they signed the forward from Troyes for a fee of just £5.8million – a then club-record – back in 2019.
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