Manchester United transfer news and opinion as Bryan Mbeumo's unsolved transfer saga could force United elsewhere
Josh is a Senior Football Writer for Reach PLC's Central Audience Team. Having previously spent over a year at football.london as a trends writer, Josh has experience covering Leicester City for the Leicester Mercury. You can find Josh's work across Reach PLC sides such as Manchester Evening News, football.london, Liverpool Echo, LeedsLive and many more.
Ademola Lookman
Ademola Lookman could be the perfect alternative to Bryan Mbeumo
(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United are growing frustrated at the lack of movement in their hopes of signing Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.
After failing with two bids for the 25-year-old, United are facing the real prospect of missing out on one of their top targets this summer. An opening bid worth £55m was rejected by Brentford before an improved offer in excess of £60m fell short.
It had been understood that a package worth £65m would be enough to bring Mbeumo to the club. However, that figure has now been increased with Brentford now demanding £70m. According to The Guardian, United chiefs do not wish to be held to ransom.
It's expected that a key factor in Brentford's change in stance comes on the back of certain transfers around Europe. Matheus Cunha moved to Old Trafford for £62.5million, Mohammed Kudus completed a £55m transfer to Tottenham and Chelsea paid £60m for Joao Pedro.
The Manchester Evening News understands United are still working on a deal to sign Mbeumo in time so can be part of the pre-season tour of the United States. Ruben Amorim and his players will travel to Chicago next Tuesday before playing out a three-match tour.
However, after being guilty over paying too much for players in the past and the current transfer budget not offering the flexibility to spend large amounts, United could be forced to look elsewhere.
Should no agreement between the two clubs be met, alternatives come into play and attention will swiftly turn on to who can come and fill the vacant gap. One player who has been mentioned in the past is Atalanta's Ademola Lookman.
After previously plying his trade as a winger, or inside forward if you like the fancy phases, Lookman has soared to become Africa's best player with his performances in Italy. In his three seasons in Serie A, the 27-year-old has scored 52 goals. In the last two, he has been involved in a sensational 54 goal involvements.
In the 2023/24 season, Lookman bagged 17 goals and assisted a further 10, helping Atalanta win the Europa League. Last season, he produced the exact same goal contribution total, scoring 20 and assisting seven.
Ademola Lookman
Ademola Lookman would solve Manchester United's problems in attack
His future in Bergamo has been placed into doubt this summer with Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan making him their top priority. However, he is yet to be involved in a transfer and remains available.
At Atalanta, under Gian Piero Gasperini, Lookman was mainly used as one of the two attackers behind a centre-forward. He usually partnered Charles De Keterlaere or Lazar Samardzic behind Mateo Retegui. Behind Lookman and Retegui, the pair scored a combined 48 goals.
It's a similar system to the one being implemented by Amorim at United. Mbeumo was expected to join Cunha in the two attacking midfielder slots behind the striker. Fortunately, Lookman is more than capable of filling in that spot.
Corriere dello Sport in Italy have reported that Lookman's price tag has been set at €50m (£43.2m) with Inter Milan making him their top target. The newspaper has added that there is optimism that a deal could be struck for around €35m (£30.2m).
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