After a disappointing Premier League season where goals were hard to come by, Manchester United are stepping up efforts to fix their attacking woes—and top of their list is Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.
The Cameroonian winger has emerged as a top priority for the Red Devils, and they’re not backing down.
Third Offer on the Table as United Try to Seal the Deal
United have just tabled an improved bid for the 25-year-old attacker, hoping this will finally seal the deal.
Their latest offer is reportedly worth £65 million upfront with an additional £5 million in potential bonuses, a clear step up from their previous bids of £55 million and £62.5 million, both of which Brentford rejected.
Mbeumo, for his part, is said to have made his stance clear—he only wants to move to Old Trafford this summer.
Competition from Spurs and Others Created a Tug-of-War
Though Manchester United have been in the driver’s seat for some time, they’ve not been alone in the race.
Arsenal, Newcastle, and Tottenham have all shown interest.
Spurs, in particular, had added intrigue to the mix after appointing Thomas Frank, Mbeumo’s long-time manager at Brentford.
The familiarity between the two made the North London club a serious threat.
Still, after weighing his options for a couple of weeks, Mbeumo has now told both Brentford and Frank that he’s set his heart on United.
Brentford Yet to Respond to Latest Offer
Despite Mbeumo’s clear preference, Brentford are taking their time to respond.
They value the player highly—not surprising, considering he netted 20 Premier League goals last season and has consistently delivered since joining from Troyes in 2019.
Over his time at Brentford, he’s racked up 70 goals in 242 appearances, including 42 in 136 Premier League matches, making him one of the most reliable forwards outside the traditional top six.
United’s Attack Needs Urgent Reinforcement
Last season, Manchester United only managed 44 goals in the league—a shockingly low tally for a team of their stature and their worst since the Premier League’s rebranding in 1992.
The lack of firepower is one of the reasons why new director of football Jason Wilcox has made Mbeumo such a priority.
With Matheus Cunha (£62.5m) and Diego Leon (£7m) already added to the squad, Mbeumo could become the third signing of the summer if things go United’s way.
Big Salary Demands Could Be a Stumbling Block
Another point of negotiation is Mbeumo’s reported wage demands, which are said to be around £250,000 per week.
That figure may be beyond what Tottenham are willing to pay, but it’s believed Manchester United are prepared to stretch to secure his signature.
However, it’s unclear if they’ll match that number outright.
This financial aspect could ultimately be the final hurdle in getting the transfer across the line.
Ferdinand Warns Against Missing Out
Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand hasn’t minced words on the situation.
Speaking on his show, he warned that United risk public embarrassment if they fail to sign Mbeumo after weeks of speculation.
“United need to meet Brentford’s valuation,” Ferdinand stressed.
“This has been playing out for far too long. If it doesn’t happen, it’s going to look bad—like egg on the face bad.”
He added that Mbeumo checks all the right boxes: “He’s dynamic, physical, scores goals, and knows the league. I’d be shocked if this doesn’t go through.”
Mbeumo Returns to Training—For Now
While transfer talks swirl, Mbeumo has returned to training with Brentford.
The club shared a video earlier this week showing him arriving at the training ground solo, flashing smiles and greeting staff.
It’s a professional move, but insiders say his mind is already in Manchester.
With United’s pre-season kicking off against Leeds and big matches lined up against West Ham, Bournemouth, Everton, and Fiorentina, the Red Devils are eager to wrap up this transfer before the season starts with a blockbuster fixture against Arsenal.
What’s Next?
It all now rests on Brentford’s response and whether United are willing to match the winger’s salary demands.
With Mbeumo set on the move and the Red Devils desperate for attacking help, the pressure is mounting.
Whether this turns into a happy ending or a missed opportunity will depend on how fast—and how far—United are willing to go to get their man.
The clock is ticking.