Manchester United wasted no time getting started on their transfer plan this summer.
The English transfer window opened early this summer to accommodate for the new Club World Cup format, and even though Manchester United aren’t competing, they took full advantage.
On the very first day of the window, United confirmed a £62.5m deal for Matheus Cunha from Wolves. Ineos moved quickly so that the Brazilian forward could kickstart a summer rebuild.
Next up, Brentford valued Bryan Mbeumo the same as Cunha, so United have now submitted a bid worth in excess of £60m to try and make him the second major signing of the summer. Combined, the two attacking additions will cost around £125m.
United are now in the final stages for Mbeumo with both clubs discussing the fine details of a deal.
Bryan Mbeumo claps the Brentford fans against Fulham
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
Man United have set a transfer precedent for rivals to follow
After the disappointing 2024/25 season, Ineos were keen to deliver some good news in the transfer window and the arrival of Matheus Cunha and interest in Bryan Mbeumo has put a smile back on the faces of fans.
United moving quickly in the transfer window has not only strengthened Ruben Amorim’s squad and stopped rivals from taking their targets, but it has also dented other clubs’ plans.
According to The Telegraph, the money United have paid for Cunha and Mbeumo has set an “artificial landmark” in the Premier League which other clubs are now using to demand high fees.
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The report adds that Newcastle United in particular are being affected by this as selling clubs are now citing the Cunha deal to justify their asking prices.
Mbeumo picked United over Newcastle and now his imminent arrival at Old Trafford is actually stopping the North East club from signing a replacement.
Newcastle have bid for former United star Anthony Elanga, but Nottingham Forest are holding out for a fee similar to that of Cunha.
Man United could yet strike transfer business with Newcastle United
The rivalry between United and Newcastle has sparked up again this summer with the Red Devils beating Eddie Howe to his top targets despite having no European football.
Ineos are simply reaping the reward for acting quickly in the transfer market. With Cunha signed and Mbeumo nearing a deal, they have already secured two of their top targets.
While Newcastle will be frustrated at United’s impressive transfer business, the two clubs could find themselves negotiating a deal between them in the near future.
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That is because Newcastle have shown interest in Marcus Rashford, with his dream of joining Barcelona slipping away.
Newcastle would prefer a loan deal for Rashford which makes a deal unlikely, as Ineos are holding out for a £40m fee. At least Ineos aren’t holding them to a similar price as Cunha or Mbeumo…