DONE DEAL: Manchester United officially announces first summer transfer signing as superstar joined on five-years transfer deal
A crossroads stands before Manchester United in their hunt to sign Brentford talisman Bryan Mbeumo this summer.
And with transfer funds not exactly flowing at Old Trafford right now, it could prove definitive for their other investments in the coming months.
United’s opening offer of £55million for the player was reportedly turned down by Brentford. And though another bid is believed to be imminent, Ruben Amorim’s side would do well to take stock of their options before launching a follow-up.
Despite finishing at an all-time low of 15th in the Premier League and failing to qualify for Europe next term, United at least have some cards in their hand. That’s after The Athletic reported Mbeumo, who was keen to join a Champions League club, now has his heart set on a move to Old Trafford despite interest from the likes of Arsenal and Newcastle.
That U-turn, after both those clubs were linked with Mbeumo in January, tilts the transfer battle in United’s favour. Tottenham have also been mooted as a suitor amid talks that Thomas Frank is set to take over in north London, though murmurs suggest Mbeumo values the United cause above Spurs’ upcoming European adventure.
It’s a similar sequence of events that saw Amorim land Wolves talisman Matheus Cunha in such swift fashion. The Brazil international was keen to play for United above all else next term, underlining United still have serious pulling power despite their absence from European competition next season.
It’s believed the Bees are seeking upwards of £60m to part ways with their player, an almighty fee considering United already shelled out £62.5m for Cunha. But if the Red Devils want their man they may just have to suck it up.
Man United’s second option is to finance the deal by parting ways with Alejandro Garnacho, which many might deem an inevitability already this summer.
Argentinian newspaper Ole has suggested AC Milan have opened talks to sign Garnacho and are seeking a deal worth £50m. That’s £15m short of United’s supposed valuation of the player, though it may be enough to convince them, considering Amorim’s difficult relationship with the 20-year-old.
That sum also wouldn’t quite cover the outlay required to recruit Mbeumo, who would come at a higher cost to the wage bill. However, it’s a convenient route to offloading one troublesome asset while signing what would effectively be his replacement.
Except Mbeumo plays almost exclusively on the right wing, while the majority of Garnacho’s minutes are spent more centrally and on the left flank. It also poses the question as to what lies in store for Cunha and whether he’s intended to start up front, behind the striker or out wide.
Amad Diallo has just started coming into his own under Amorim, and he too operates almost solely off the right. After several years of overcoming injuries, managerial changes and loan spells away from Old Trafford, it would be a shame to see the 22-year-old’s progress halted now.
Yet United are in dire need of results now and can ill afford to bid their time on the hope of what may come down the line. In that sense, Mbeumo would be a proven Premier League upgrade based on what’s been seen of the player in recent seasons.
The Cameroon international finished this season with 20 goals and eight assists and appeared in each of Brentford’s 38 league games. But he wouldn’t be the first big investment to impress elsewhere before falling flat under the increased pressure at United.
The Red Devils will be expected to fork out a heavy sum regardless of how Mbeumo arrives at the club. But the manner in which they balance the books could play a major role in how far the club can afford to invest elsewhere this summer.
