Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo is a Manchester United transfer target
Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo is a Manchester United transfer target
Manchester United are facing yet another hugely decisive summer transfer window following on from the club's worst domestic season in history.
Finishing fifteenth in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham means no European football for Ruben Amorim's side in the 2025/26 campaign. United responded almost immediately to that disappointment however, through agreeing a deal for Matheus Cunha to join from Wolves.
Soon after that, United initiated contact with Brentford for Bryan Mbeumo after learning of his desire to join. After appointing Thomas Frank from the Bees, Spurs became a serious option but the Cameroonian making the move to Old Trafford is still more likely.
His £70million asking price is quite significant but it is definitely possible for United to afford it with Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony all primed to depart permanently. Napoli, Barcelona, Real Betis, Chelsea and Juventus have all been mooted as potential destinations for at least one member of the quartet.
Having scored just 46 Premier League goals in the 2024/25 season, the fifth lowest out of 20 teams, it's no surprise attacking signings are being targeted. The addition of a natural striker is also quite clearly needed to help Rasmus Hojlund.
Given his relationship with Amorim, Viktor Gyokeres also moving from Sporting CP appeared as the most likely scenario. However, as he is determined to join Arsenal, focus has shifted elsewhere and onto Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike.
Once again, the financial demands are lofty with the German club, having qualified for the Champions League, only sanctioning a sale at £85.7million (€100m).
Liverpool and Chelsea are also interested but United may be leading the race even without European football as it has recently been revealed that the 23-year-old supported them when he was younger.
Further back, a potentially significant alteration could take place in between the sticks with Andre Onana departing and Emi Martinez joining from Aston Villa.
While he is a Premier League proven goalkeeper, spending a minimum of £30million on a 32-year-old with high wages is perhaps not the best use of funds. Instead, United should stick with Onana for now and wait for a better opportunity to emerge.
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