Bryan Mbeumo of Cameroon
Bryan Mbeumo of Cameroon
Manchester United are hopeful of concluding a deal for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo before Tuesday's mini transfer deadline.
A special transfer window to allow clubs to sign players before this month's Club World Cup opened last Sunday and will close on Tuesday evening.
Mbeumo is keen to join United and United are keen to sign the 25-year-old but saw an initial offer of £44million plus £10million in add-ons rejected last week.
Brentford are holding out for a figure closer to their valuation which is believed to be around £60million before selling their 20-goal talisman.
Ruben Amorim is keen to address United's lack of goals and has already secured the signing of Wolves star Matheus Cunha, who scored 17 goals last season.
Amorim's dream is to pair Mbeumo with Cunha in the two attacking midfield roles in his 3-4-2-1 formation next season.
But if Mbeumo does sign then it is a move that will present Amorim and United some difficulties during the busy festive period next season.
That is because Mbeumo is a regular for Cameroon, who have qualified to compete in the 2025 African Cup of Nations this winter.
United goalkeeper Andre Onana will also be involved for Cameroon, as will be Noussair Mazraoui (Morocco) and Amad (Ivory Coast).
AFCON runs from December 21 to January 18 and clashes with a busy period in the Premier League with the hectic Christmas schedule often a defining point in the calendar.
The FA Cup also starts in January for Premier League clubs and the winter transfer window will also open.
Using this season's United fixture list as a guide, there were six matches during the period earmarked for AFCON this year plus two within days either side where players would be away if they advanced to the final.
The date for clubs to release players is yet to be determined because the tournament falls outside FIFA window.
But with the group stage running until December 31, it seems certain the quartet will miss at least four fixtures and up to seven or eight.