There has been a major admission about the Matheus Cunha signing after Manchester United move closer to bringing in Bryan Mbeumo.
Manchester United are close to securing their second signing of the summer, with a deal for Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo nearing completion.
Following the earlier arrival of Matheus Cunha, head coach Rúben Amorim is keen to bolster his attacking options further. Negotiations for Mbeumo have proven complicated, but significant progress has been made.
United’s initial £55 million offer for the 25-year-old was rejected in early June. However, they returned this week with an improved proposal exceeding £60 million.
Reports now suggest that both clubs have agreed on an initial fee, and discussions are ongoing to finalise performance-related add-ons, potentially bringing the total value to around £65 million.
Once Mbeumo completes his move to Old Trafford, United are expected to ramp up player sales and intensify their pursuit of a new striker and midfielder ahead of the Premier League’s mid-August start.
Major Cunha admission after Mbeumo developments
Before the window opened, not many United fans would have expected the club to sign both Mbeumo and Cunha – now there is a high possibility of the attacking duo being in the building for the start of pre-season.
Cunha was the initial priority for the Reds but it has emerged that the feeling within the game is that the signing of Mbeumo is ‘more impressive’ for United to secure.
Of course, while Cunha is a top player, United did not need to negotiate a fee with Wolves due to the release clause in his contract, so being able to secure Mbeumo for a similar price is viewed as a ‘huge success story’ for United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox.
“Mbeumo is the first major victory of the Jason Wilcox era, yes, Matheus Cunha was a good deal to get done, but United really have seen off interest to get Mbeumo,” transfer expert Graeme Bailey told United In Focus.
“Let’s not forget, he was Newcastle’s first choice to come in on the right, then Tottenham made a late offer – this is a huge success story for Wilcox and the football team.
“They have had to pay around Cunha money, but the market was set by their deal with Wolves – why wouldn’t Brentford want the same, and United accepted that is the right level, and I don’t think many people would disagree.
“A lot of people have spoken about Cunha being a great deal, but I have had honestly had more people in football tell me they are more impressed with United getting Mbeumo.”
Mbeumo and Cunha signings can convince other targets
These are two players who can level United’s attack up immediately, and they are both entering the prime years of their career.
Being able to secure the signings of Cunha and Mbeumo should also give United a stronger position in negotiations with further targets, particularly when they actually start moving for a striker.
It is much more attractive for a goalscorer to know that he will be playing in front of players like Cunha and Mbeumo rather than some of United’s underperforming talent.
But in order to get to that stage, the Reds have to start selling players, with Jadon Sancho and Antony looking like those closest to potential departures.
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