United remain hopeful they will add Mbeumo to their squad in the summer transfer window.placeholder image
United remain hopeful they will add Mbeumo to their squad in the summer transfer window. | Getty Images
Man United have already seen two bids rejected for Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo this summer.
Before the summer transfer window, it seemed as though there were three main targets for Manchester United. Wolves’ Matheus Cunha, who they signed for £62.5m, Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP, and Brentford’s Bryan Mbuemo.
Man United want Mbeumo before 26 July
Amid the two rejected bids, it is understood that United are expected to come in with an improved offer for Mbeumo. Furthermore, seeing as they have competition from Tottenham, they will be keen to get a deal over the line as soon as possible.
According to Sky Sports, the Red Devils are cautiously optimistic that they can sign Mbeumo before July 26, which is when their pre-season tour of the US kicks off with a game against Premier League rivals West Ham in New Jersey.
United want Mbeumo to be in their squad for the tour, and so are hoping to accelerate talks to confirm the winger in the next two weeks. The report says that Brentford wants a bid of £65m for the 25-year-old, just £2.5m more expensive than United’s previous offer which was rejected.
However, it also says that Brentford want the majority of the funds in one big payment, whereas United are hoping to strike a deal where they get to pay the transfer fee in instalments, in order to stay the correct side of the PSR restrictions.
Mbeumo himself has made it clear that a move to United is his preferred option, despite interest from his former manager Thomas Frank, who has now joined Spurs. It feels as though a deal will be done, but it is taking longer than expected, and the Red Devils will be desperate to bring the Cameroon international in before they travel to the US in around two weeks.
Who could Man United sign if they miss out on Mbeumo?
United are going after Mbeumo because they want a wide attacking player, who can score goals and help provide assists for strikers and fellow wingers. If they fail to add Mbeumo, they may have to look at similar players for potential alternatives.
According to DataMB’s player comparison tool, Mbeumo’s 2024/25 season was statistically very similar to Paris Saint-Germain attacker Lee Kang-In. The 24-year-old made 49 appearances for the Champions League winners last season.
He matched up to Mbeumo on key passes and dribbling success, and actually had better statistics regarding assists, and expected non-penalty goal contributions. Furthermore, Kang-In is one year younger than Mbeumo and has a market value of around £22m.
Reports in May said that Man United were interested in the South Korean international alongside the likes of Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Atletico Madrid. It was reported that any deal for the attacker would likely amount to around £37m, and he would be open to leaving in order to get more consistent first-team football. Kang-In could be a fantastic alternative to Mbeumo.
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