Manchester United have matched Brentford’s demands for Bryan Mbeumo after tabling an improved offer worth £70 million this week.
After securing the signing of Matheus Cunha so early in the transfer window, Manchester United quickly moved their attention to Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.
The Cameroon international scored 20 goals in the Premier League last season and soon after United declared an interest, he communicated his preference to join them over other Newcastle and Tottenham.
Since then, the Reds had tabled bids worth £55 million and then £62.5 million. Both were rejected and the transfer saga was dragged on.
It has now been confirmed by David Ornstein that a third offer worth £65 million plus an additional £5 million in add-ons has been submitted. Reports elsewhere suggest this matches Brentford’s demands.
Will Mbeumo play vs Leeds?
United are playing their first pre-season friendly on Saturday against Leeds, with the game being played in Stockholm, Sweden.
There are now questions over the potential of Mbeumo being involved in that game should Brentford accept the bid for the 25-year-old in the coming hours.
However, it has been reported by Ben Jacobs that United are working on getting Mbeumo in the door by Tuesday so he can fly out to the United States with the squad.
This suggests that United are not expecting the player to be involved for this opening games against Leeds, but instead hope to have him on tour to face Everton, West Ham and Bournemouth in America.
Nevertheless, Mbeumo looks like he will be part of the majority of United’s pre-season preparations, which is exactly what Amorim wanted. His unofficial debut instead seems like it will be against West Ham on 27 July.
Mbeumo price fair in the end
This is a deal which started looking shaky, partly due to the fact that reports suggested Sir Jim Ratcliffe didn’t want to match the £70 million price tag Brentford set.
There will be arguments about United taking their time to only bow down to such demands, but in the end United have managed to secure a top player.
In the case of players like Rasmus Højlund or Antony, there was such an overspend despite their inexperience at the top level.
Mbeumo is a different case as he is proven in the Premier League and will immediately improve United’s squad. Other deals this summer have also made that price tag a fair reflection of his ability.
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