DOUBLE DEAL: Manchester United agree transfer fee to secure double signing, medical has been booked for both players
Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo was one of Newcastle’s top transfer targets heading into the summer window.
The 25-year-old scored 20 goals in 38 Premier League appearances during the 2024-25 season with only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland, Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah scoring more.
The right wing area is the only part of Newcastle’s squad that hasn’t been notably added to since the club’s takeover in 2021. Jacob Murphy is currently first choice in the position and enjoyed an excellent season, contributing nine goals and 14 assists in total.
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe admitted the club would be looking to make a right-wing signing to replace Miguel Almiron, who was sold to Atlanta United in January. Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Will Osula have also been deployed out of position on the right-wing by Howe but there is no natural alternative to Murphy as things stand.
The Magpies signed Yankuba Minteh from Feyenoord in 2023 but ended up selling him to Brighton & Hove Albion without him making an appearance for the club.
With no natural competition for Murphy and money available to spend, Mbeumo emerged as a top target for Newcastle heading into the summer. But just two days into the initial transfer window, it appears the Cameroon international has made a decision over his future.
After Manchester United swooped to sign another top Newcastle target in Matheus Cunha on Sunday, they are now in pole position to sign another.
According to The Athletic, Mbeumo has decided he wants to join Manchester United over the likes of Newcastle, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. Man United finished 15th in the Premier League and missed out on Europe after losing to Spurs in the Europa League final last month.
But Mbeumo has reportedly turned down the opportunity of Champions League football next season in favour of joining Manchester United. The winger has 12 months left on his contract at the Gtech Community Stadium, which includes an option to extend until June 2027.
While Mbeumo reportedly wants to join Manchester United, a deal is still subject to Brentford agreeing a transfer fee – which won’t come cheap.
Last month Brentford head coach Thomas Frank spoke openly about the possibility of losing Mbeumo in the summer.
“If the right price — and that’s going to be expensive — is coming, then I’m sure the club will be open to it,” Frank told Sky Sports.
An asking price of around £60million has been reported, though no formal bid has been made by Manchester United so far. The Red Devils have already agreed to pay £62.5million to activate Cunha’s release clause at Wolves.
