Last summer’s transfer saga involving Bryan Mbeumo at Brentford might become the necessary blueprint that Ineos rely on for another Manchester United-linked player.
Manchester United made their first formal approach for Bryan Mbeumo in early June 2025, but it was not until late July that the ex-Brentford star’s move was finalised.
Brentford rejected two of United’s bids for Mbeumo before the Red Devils’ third offer matched the valuation that the Bees were demanding for the 26-year-old.
United landed Mbeumo for an initial transfer fee of £65m, including a further £5m in add-ons, but it was a strategy that did pay off in the end for Ineos.
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Bryan Mbeumo’s role in his 2025 transfer move to Man Utd could be the key for Ineos with Mateus Fernandes
Amid the transfer saga between Manchester United and Brentford last summer, Bryan Mbeumo played his own role in ensuring the move happened.
The Cameroon international continued with his training at the Bees, but the most important detail was that Mbeumo’s preference of choice was clear.
Mbeumo had been linked with the likes of Tottenham, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle in 2025 amid uncertainty around his future at Brentford at that time.
However, Mbeumo’s desire to move only to Man Utd was the much-needed breathing room that Ineos required to ensure time was on their side over a deal.
The stance that former Bees ace Mbeumo took at Brentford could not be more important for Man Utd now thanks to the situation around Mateus Fernandes.
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Mateus Fernandes needs to adopt the Bryan Mbeumo approach to force a move to Man Utd from West Ham
Mateus Fernandes has been linked with Man Utd and the Red Devils are keen to secure the services of the 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder from West Ham.
However, it is believed that West Ham will demand in excess of £80m to allow Man Utd target Fernandes to leave the London Stadium this summer.
United are not the only club interested in the Portugal international, with defending champions Arsenal also keen to sign Fernandes from the Hammers.
It is expected that West Ham want to spark a bidding war over Fernandes after the Premier League club were relegated to the Championship at the end of last season.
Fernandes’ best option would be to take a page from the playbook of Mbeumo by making his intentions clear of wanting a move to Man Utd instead of Arsenal.
The former Sporting CP midfielder’s preference would prevent a bidding war and allow time for Ineos to work on a deal without overpaying for him this summer.
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