Manchester United close on £60m-plus deal to buy Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo

Manchester United is reportedly on the verge of finalizing a significant transfer deal for Brentford's forward Bryan Mbeumo, which is expected to exceed £60 million. This potential acquisition would mark the second major signing of the summer for United's head coach Ruben Amorim, following the earlier purchase of Matheus Cunha for £62.5 million from Wolves. The initial fee for Mbeumo appears to have been agreed upon, with ongoing discussions between the clubs regarding additional performance-related add-ons that could elevate the total package close to Brentford's valuation of £65 million. Should the deal go through, Manchester United's aggregate spending on new players this summer would reach approximately £125 million, highlighting their aggressive approach in the transfer market this season.

Bryan Mbeumo, who is 25 years old, is regarded by Brentford as being on par with Matheus Cunha, who is a year older and commands a basic weekly salary of £150,000. Mbeumo had an impressive performance last season, scoring 20 league goals, which outshines Cunha's tally of 15 goals. While the acquisition of Mbeumo is a significant step for United, Amorim is also exploring the possibility of adding a No 9 striker to the squad, with Chelsea’s Christopher Nkunku being a potential target. Nkunku, who joined Chelsea for £52 million in the summer of 2023, has scored 17 goals in 58 appearances, and his versatility as a forward makes him an attractive option for Amorim as he looks to bolster his attacking lineup further.