Man United are still locked in negotiations with Brentford to sign star attacker Bryan Mbeumo
Rio Ferdinand does a piece to camera.
Rio Ferdinand still believes Manchester United will sign Bryan Mbeumo.(Image: Rio Ferdinand Presents on YouTube.)
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes the club will be left with egg on its face if it fails to sign Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo in this summer's transfer window.
More than a month after opening talks with Brentford to try and sign the Cameroonian, United, who have tabled two bids, are still yet to reach an agreement with their Premier League counterparts to bring him to Old Trafford.
After seeing an opening offer worth £55million turned down in early-June, United returned with a second offer just over a fortnight ago, understood to be worth more than £60m.
At the time, it was understood that offer was going to be enough to extract Mbeumo from the Gtech Community Stadium, but the Bees have since moved the goalposts, meaning discussions are still ongoing.
Although Ferdinand is still optimistic United will get a deal over the line for the 25-year-old attacker, he has conceded that the length of time it is taking means the Reds must have an alternative lined up just in case.
"Man United need to find a way of meeting Brentford's valuation," the former defender said on Rio Ferdinand Presents. "The proposal doesn't seem to be enough for Brentford, but Man United need to get this done.
"It's been in the news for far too long, to get to a situation to get to the end of the window and it doesn't happen, I think that will be an egg-on-the-face situation for Man United unless they go and get someone else.
"Who have they got waiting in the wings as an alternative? We haven't heard any names that are close.
"I would be surprised if this deal doesn't go through, United have allowed it to go public and they are in a position now where they have to make a move to get it over the line.
"I will repeat myself: he fits the bill for me physically, he is dynamic, scores goals in the Premier League, knows the Premier League. Watch this space."
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