The race to sign Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo is heating up.
Manchester United registered an interest in Bryan Mbeumo last week, shortly after announcing the arrival of Matheus Cunha.
Ruben Amorim is prioritising attacking players with Premier League experience to bring goals back to United, after a turbulent campaign across all competitions.
United lost the Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur before they finished 15th in the Premier League.
That means United don’t have Champions League football to offer next season, which could weaken the club’s position in the race for certain targets.
Ineos will hope that isn’t the case with Mbeumo as they prepare a second bid to sign the Cameroon international.
Tottenham join race for Bryan Mbeumo
It emerged on Friday evening that Tottenham are preparing to launch their pursuit to sign Mbeumo, which will see them compete with United for the forward’s signature.
Mbeumo was prioritising a move to United before his former manager, Thomas Frank, was appointed Tottenham boss. It remains to be seen if that appointment will change the player’s mind about moving to Old Trafford.
According to BBC Sport, Tottenham are yet to submit a bid for Mbeumo, and there has been further interest from other Champions League clubs.
This could be an attempt from Brentford to encourage a second bid from United for Mbeumo, who doesn’t have a release clause, with one year left to run on his contract.
Mbeumo is likely to leave Brentford this summer after scoring 70 goals in 242 appearances since his arrival in 2019 from Ligue 2 outfit Troyes.
After making Mbeumo a primary target, United do not want to be losing out to Tottenham. It would be an additional blow after losing four times to the London outfit last term.
Thomas Frank could be made to eat his words
At the beginning of May, Frank was asked specifically about Brentford losing Mbeumo.
Brentford could now lose both after saying goodbye to Frank this week.
Frank didn’t shy away from it being a possibility, but warned that it would come at an expensive cost.
The former Brentford manager warned that it would be ‘expensive’ to prize away their best players.
“I’m the head coach. I want my best players to stay forever,” Frank told Sky Sports.
“I know that Bryan is very happy being here at Brentford, he’s thriving, doing well and playing fantastic. What happens in the future? I don’t know.
“I’ve said many times: we are a selling club. But at the same time, we have to reinforce that there are 10 clubs in the world that aren’t selling clubs.
“So, of course, if the right price – and that’s going to be expensive – is coming, then I’m sure the club will be open for it.
“But I’m very happy he’s here, and I’m convinced that Bryan will still be happy playing football here.”
Frank may be made to eat those words with Tottenham reportedly expressing an interest in Mbeumo. Only time will tell if they are willing to spend the money it would take to see off interest from United.
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