Manchester United has reportedly increased its bid to over £60m for Brentford striker Bryan Mbeumo, marking a significant escalation in their pursuit of the talented forward. This follows an earlier rejected bid of £45m plus up to £10m in add-ons.
Negotiations over the Cameroon forward are set to continue this week. If successful, Mbeumo would become Manchester United's second signing of the summer season. The club is keen on strengthening Ruben Amorim's squad before they return for pre-season training on 7 July.
The new Tottenham manager, Thomas Frank, has also shown interest in reuniting with Mbeumo. Additionally, other Champions League clubs have expressed interest in acquiring the forward.
Brentford's stance and player value
Brentford is expected to demand at least as much as Wolves received for Matheus Cunha (£62.5m), before agreeing to sell Mbeumo who still has a year left on his contract.
Mbeumo’s Premier League experience is seen as a major asset by Amorim who needs players capable of making an immediate impact as United aims for a stronger start than their previous three seasons under Erik ten Hag. Last season was particularly fruitful for Mbeumo who scored a career-best 20 goals while also contributing nine assists towards Brentford’s success.
However, there could be potential challenges ahead due to international commitments. As an international colleague of United goalkeeper Andre Onana, it is likely that he will miss four weeks of the 2025-26 campaign due to Cameroon's participation in Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco which begins with Cameroon playing Gabon on 24 December.
Uncertain future for Alejandro Garnacho
In related news, the future of Alejandro Garnacho at Manchester United is once again under scrutiny. The Argentina forward recently posted an image of himself wearing an Aston Villa shirt with 'Rashford' on it, sparking speculation about his future at the club.
Marcus Rashford responded to the post with a supportive message, further fueling rumors. Valued at £60m, Garnacho has been advised by Amorim to find another club this summer.
Manchester United's pursuit of Mbeumo and their plans for squad strengthening are clear indications of their intent for a more successful season ahead. However, how these potential changes will impact existing players like Garnacho remains to be seen.
