Manchester United are interested in Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo - a move which could impact their rivals Liverpool in the transfer market
Manchester United are keen to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford
Manchester United are keen to sign Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford
(Image: Lee Parker - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Manchester United are pursuing Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo, a move that could inadvertently impact Liverpool. United had initially shown interest in Ipswich striker Liam Delap while sealing a deal for Wolves forward Matheus Cunha, but are now eyeing a £50million deal for Mbeumo.
Delap is set to join Chelsea in a £30m transfer after turning down offers from United and Everton, prompting a change of tact at Old Trafford. Mbeumo enjoyed an impressive season with Brentford, scoring 20 goals and providing eight assists in 38 Premier League matches, and is expected to switch clubs during the summer transfer window.
United are believed to be the frontrunners for Mbeumo, who has previously been linked with Liverpool, as well as Newcastle. Arne Slot's team have also been active in the early stages of the summer transfer window, signing Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5m while pursuing his former Bayer Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz.
Mbeumo, who plays in the same position as Mohamed Salah on the right wing and shares a similar style, often cutting onto his left foot to shoot at goal, has long been suggested as a potential long-term successor to Salah.
Salah's new two-year deal with Liverpool, signed last April, hasn't quelled speculation about his future, especially as he turns 32 and a potential move to the Saudi Pro League looms. Liverpool must strategise for the future, and if 25-year-old Mbeumo opts for Old Trafford, the Reds could be left scrambling for alternatives, reports the Mirror.
United are gearing up for a pivotal summer transfer window following a disappointing season that saw them finish 15th in the Premier League and fall short in the Europa League final. Ruben Amorim is keen to revamp his lacklustre squad, and securing Mbeumo, along with the £62.5m acquisition of Cunha, would signal a bold ambition.
Brentford's Thomas Frank has helped develop Mbeumo into one of the Premier League's top forwards over their six years together. Despite Brentford's 10th place finish, five spots above United, he knows there is a challenge to retain the player, who could earn significantly more elsewhere.
"He's been fantastic," Frank said in a recent Sky Sports interview. "For me, it's been a privilege to work with him for six years and see his development from a teenager, I think he was 19 when he came or a young man, to a more grown-up man in many ways. And that personal development I think is equally as important."
"I always knew he was a goalscorer. Now he's now just a more consistent goalscorer. His hold-up play is even better, his assist play or link-up play, his work ethic is fantastic. So very impressed.
"Let's see. We all love him. I watch him every day, he comes in with a big smile, trains with a big smile. He loves to be a Brentford player but let's see."
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