Manchester United are now the front-runners to sign Newcastle United target Bryan Mbeumo.
Simon Jordan has highlighted the pull Manchester United retain in the transfer market after Bryan Mbeumo’s stance on his future became clear.
Newcastle United were understood to be keeping tabs on the Brentford winger heading into the summer window. No official approach has been made but the Bees are open to offers as long as the price is right.
However, The Athletic reported earlier this week that Mbeumo prefers a move to Man United. That is despite the Red Devils enduring their worst Premier League season and appearing, at least from the outside, in dire straits.
Brentford reportedly want £60million - a fee similar to what Man United paid Wolverhampton Wanderers for Matheus Cunha. As for Newcastle, manager Eddie Howe has publicly spoken about the need to get deals done early - with right-wing a key priority.
Simon Jordan on Manchester United factor
Speaking to talkSPORT, former Crystal Palace owner Jordan believes the Mbeumo saga proves Man United are still big players in the transfer market. He said: “I think it confirms that there is still a huge amount of pull that Man United have,” he said. “We’re going to see that things are always darkest before the dawn. Man United, in order to bounce back, had to hit the bottom.
“They hit the bottom in the Europa League final because I think they were abject in that final when they could have got an outcome that may have salvaged their season. They’ve been abject in the Premier League. They have got a group of players that don’t seem to understand the reality of the responsibilities for playing for Manchester United.
“It might also suggest some of the players spoken to don’t see themselves tactically fitting into the formations of certain clubs or maybe not think they are going to get the game time. I hope it’s not because Man United were prepared to pay more money financially for the transfer or the wages, because we saw how that played out with Alexis Sanchez.”
‘Speed is key’ - Eddie Howe
Howe sent a message to the St James’ Park hierarchy following the final-day defeat to Everton. He told reporters: “Speed is key for us and I have reiterated that many times internally. Speed is key because we have to be dynamic, we have to be ready to conclude things very quickly because good players don’t hang around for long.
“That’s always been my thought and my message on recruitment because you can have a period when you think you have time - but then you look around quickly and you see that time has elapsed and you missed opportunities you won’t get again. That’s what we will be trying, but the reality of that is it’s not always in your hands.
“But we will do our best to do things early. The power of the Champions League is huge. It’s a selling point for us now, it’s an opportunity to sell that dream to future players that might be considering coming to us."
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Brentford open to Bryan Mbeumo sale
Brentford boss Thomas Frank welcomed bids for Mbeumo, pointing towards his productive campaign when justifying a potential price tag. He told Viaplay last week: "It is clear that, if he is to be sold, it must be for a nice, nice amount. It is a lot. Really a lot. Then it is clear that it is impossible to replace him one for one.
“It cannot be done. There is a reason why he costs x number of million pounds, and we do not have x number of million pounds to buy for. I would say that I would be surprised if a lot of big clubs don’t look at him.
“I would be surprised with what he has to offer. How many wingers score 20 goals for a mid-table club? And then with seven assists plus his work ethic. And his character. All these things mean that he has a lot, so he is a good player."
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