Manchester United are once again finding themselves bogged down in a frustrating transfer window under the stewardship of INEOS.
The Red Devils hold strong interest in signing Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo but negotiations are proving anything but straightforward.
The Bees have turned down two United bids, with the latest offer being worth £55 million and £7.5m in add-ons.
The Athletic have now revealed that the two clubs are “several million pounds apart” in their valuation of Mbeumo.
There have been no significant developments over the past couple of weeks.
The two clubs continue to talk but a deal is still not imminent.
Mbeumo could miss United’s pre-season tour
United are yet to make a marquee signing since making a swoop for Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers at the start of this window.
Mbeumo is keen on a move to Old Trafford, but United’s leadership is treading carefully to avoid overpaying the infamous “United tax.”
It was earlier reported that Brentford were looking for a fee around £65m, a figure that now feels realistic given the inflated market.
Recent deals for players like Anthony Elanga, Joao Pedro, Noni Madueke, and Mohammed Kudus, all commanding fees north of £50m, have only strengthened Brentford’s bargaining position.
Mbeumo outperformed every one of them last season, making Brentford’s stance even more understandable.
Amorim would have ideally hoped to have Mbeumo with the rest of the squad for the pre-season tour to the United States.
It is becoming increasingly likely that this transfer saga will drag on until the final days of the window.
With Marcus Rashford, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho and Jadon Sancho deemed surplus to requirements, United’s attack is short on quality and cohesion.
United are setting up another manager for failure.