Tottenham are refusing to back down. Despite Manchester United’s concrete interest in Bryan Mbeumo, Spurs remain very much in contention for the Brentford forward. According to journalist Duncan Castles on the Transfers Podcast, as relayed by GiveMeSport, the north London side are still optimistic about convincing the Cameroonian international to choose them.
A potentially decisive factor is the appointment of Thomas Frank as Tottenham’s new manager. Mbeumo shares a strong rapport with Frank from their time together at Brentford, and that relationship could tip the balance in Spurs’ favour. While Mbeumo’s camp has given signals that lean towards Old Trafford, Castles maintains that the door to London is not yet closed.
United, for their part, have already made an approach and received an encouraging initial response. “The indication was that Mbeumo had chosen to go to Manchester, that he told them verbally that was his preference,” Castles revealed on The Transfers Podcast.
Bryan Mbeumo in the transfer tug-of-war between United and Spurs
However, the journalist also noted that not everyone in Mbeumo’s camp shares the same level of certainty about his move to Manchester. If Tottenham are able to meet Brentford’s valuation, the prospect of the 25-year-old remaining in London and reuniting with Thomas Frank becomes very real. Manchester United may have made the first move, but they face serious competition, and securing Mbeumo’s signature will be anything but straightforward.
“The indication from Manchester United was that Mbeumo had chosen to move there, that he verbally told them that his preference was to move there. I’m not hearing exactly the same on that there. I think there is a good chance that Mbeumo, should Tottenham, in particular, get to the price that Brentford are asking, that he might choose Tottenham ahead of Manchester United. And there are a couple of obvious reasons for that. One is, it allows him to stay in London, and, secondly, allows them to carry on playing for Thomas Frank, who has joined Tottenham as the replacement for Ange Postecoglou.”
In this context, Manchester United must weigh their next steps carefully. Should they raise their offer to outbid Tottenham, or would it be wiser to pivot toward other targets who may be more attainable and equally effective? From a sporting standpoint, Rúben Amorim’s project carries promise, but it’s still in its formative stages, lacking the certainty and cohesion that often appeal to top-tier players. Tottenham, by contrast, present a more stable environment under Thomas Frank, a coach Mbeumo knows and trusts. That relationship could prove decisive.
Moreover, lifestyle and competition matter. Life in London and the allure of Champions League football are strong incentives. Not every player is keen on relocating to the north, especially when the alternative offers familiarity and top-tier European football. These off-pitch factors may be just as influential as salaries or tactical fit, and Tottenham seem well-positioned to use them to their advantage.
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Mbeumo’s profile certainly ticks several boxes for Manchester United: pace, intelligence, and positional flexibility across the front line. That kind of versatility is invaluable in a squad that needs not only starters but adaptable players who can shift roles based on tactics and injuries.
However, the financial aspect looms large. If Brentford maintain a high asking price and Tottenham’s emotional and logistical advantages pull Mbeumo toward London, United must ask themselves if it is worth entering a bidding war for a player who may already be leaning elsewhere?