Manchester United Sets Deadline to Seal Bryan Mbeumo Deal
Manchester United are naturally eager to finalize their pursuit of Brentford striker Bryan Mbeumo without delay.
It's widely recognized that Mbeumo—after netting 20 Premier League goals for Brentford in the previous campaign—is prepared to step up to a higher level, having expressed his desire to join United.
United acted swiftly to secure Matheus Cunha at the beginning of the transfer period. However, while acquiring the Brazilian was fairly simple due to an existing release clause, negotiations for Mbeumo have proven more challenging as they require fee discussions.
Reports from earlier this week suggested Mbeumo was growing impatient with the stalled progress, hoping to prevent a situation where he would need to begin pre-season training with Brentford.
United have commenced their pre-season preparations, creating an uncomfortable opening week when Marcus Rashford joined training—despite being given additional time to secure a transfer and having his jersey number reassigned to Cunha. However, Sky Sports reports that there's a strong desire to complete Mbeumo's signing before the team travels for their United States tour later this month. Following a brief visit to Sweden, their first American match is scheduled for July 26.
Personal terms are believed to be already settled, and there's reportedly "cautious optimism" from United that a complete agreement can be reached. Brentford are demanding approximately £65 million ($88.3 million), and the Red Devils are close to meeting this valuation. The main obstacle concerns payment structure rather than total amount, with the Bees wanting "most, if not the entire fee" paid immediately.
Mbeumo is expected to feature as one of the attacking midfielders in Ruben Amorim's 3-4-2-1 formation, partnering with Cunha behind a main striker. The identity of that striker remains uncertain, whether it will be a new signing—free agents Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Callum Wilson and Jamie Vardy have allegedly been proposed to United—or another opportunity for Rasmus Højlund to demonstrate his capabilities.