DONE DEAL: South American aggressive striker finally completes Manchester United move as he become the Red’s second summer transfer signing- His squad number has been revealed and it’s a legendary shirt number

Mbeumo was listed as a top transfer target for Newcastle United heading into the summer transfer window as he scored 20 goals for Brentford during the 2024-25 Premier League season. A total only bettered by Erling Haaland, Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah.

Just days into the initial summer transfer window, reports emerged claiming Mbeumo had chosen Manchester United as his preferred destination. While the news comes as a blow to Newcastle’s chances of landing the winger, any claims of a done deal with Manchester United are premature.

Although Mbeumo is into the final year of his contract at the Gtech Community Stadium, Brentford are in a strong negotiating position as they don’t need to sell and have a one-year extension option that could be triggered.

While Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has spoken openly about the possibility of selling Mbeumo this summer, he warned that any transfer wouldn’t come cheap.

“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 last month.

Manchester United submit official Bryan Mbeumo transfer bid

According to transfer expert David Ornstein, Manchester United have submitted an initial £45million bid for Mbeumo plus £10million in add-ons. The offer is set to be rejected by Brentford, who value Mbeumo closer to the £62.5million Manchester United recently paid to trigger Matheus Cunha’s release clause at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

In paying that fee so early into the transfer window, Manchester United have set a precedent for what clubs will demand for similar calibre players. Both Mbeumo and Cunha are versatile attacking players and just over two months separate them in terms of age.

While Manchester United’s initial bid for Mbeumo is set to be rejected, they will remain in talks over a transfer fee. If Manchester United are to meet Brentford’s £60million+ valuation for Mbeumo, then the deal will get done as personal terms are not understood to be an issue.

The Times have reported Mbeumo will look to earn five-times his £50,000-a-week salary at Brentford should he move to Old Trafford. And The Red Devils appear willing to meet his £250,000-a-week wage demands.

But if Manchester United can’t reach an agreement over a transfer fee with Brentford quickly, the potential transfer risks dragging into the summer.

And that could give other clubs Newcastle the opportunity to swoop in.

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Newcastle United like Bryan Mbeumo – but will look at alternatives

Although Newcastle will monitor Mbeumo’s situation with keen interest, a move to Manchester United still looks to be the most likely outcome.

Newcastle are set to begin contract talks with Alexander Isak ahead of the new season with the view to making him the club’s top earner after a 27-goal campaign. Mbeumo’s reported wage demands are in excess of anything Newcastle would be willing to offer at this stage.

The Magpies are wanting to get business done quickly, a sentiment echoed by head coach Eddie Howe and captain Bruno Guimaraes prior to the transfer window opening. But the upcoming departures of sporting director Paul Mitchell and chief executive officer Darren Eales without replacements currently lined up has cast an air of uncertainty over what was shaping up to be a positive transfer window for the club.

A right-wing addition is a priority for Newcastle, who are open to exploring options abroad given the inflated price tags of Premier League players. Kingsley Coman’s name recently surfaced in relation to a move but talk from Germany of the Bayern Munich winger making a move to Newcastle has quickly been played down by sources on Tyneside.

The club have just announced the free transfer of Antonio Cordero, an 18-year-old winger who has shown real promise in the Spanish second tier with Malaga. But Cordero won’t impact Newcastle’s first team next season as he is set to be sent out on loan. Howe is looking for players ready to make an instant impact in the Premier League and Champions League.

Two years ago, Newcastle prepared for Champions League football with the signings of Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall. While that transfer window has proven to be a success in time, Tonali – arguably the only ‘Champions League ready’ signing – was handed a 10-month betting ban just months into the season. Barnes also picked up a long-term injury while Livramento and Hall didn’t get regular first-team football during their first season.