Verbal Agreement Reached
Manchester United have taken a significant step toward signing Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, securing a verbal agreement on personal terms with the 25-year-old forward, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg. The Red Devils are preparing a formal £50m bid to finalize the transfer, following their £62.5m signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolves, paid in three installments, per The Athletic. Despite interest from Champions League clubs Arsenal, Tottenham, and Newcastle, Mbeumo has chosen United, prioritizing their project under Ruben Amorim, even without European football in 2025/26, per Sky Sports.
Transfer Details
Brentford have set a £50m valuation for Mbeumo, who scored 20 goals and provided 8 assists in 38 Premier League games in 2024/25, per Opta. With one year left on his contract, Brentford hold a 12-month extension option, strengthening their negotiating stance, per The Mirror. United’s optimism stems from Mbeumo’s approval and ongoing talks, with negotiations expected to start soon, per TEAMtalk. On X, Ben Jacobs confirmed United’s lead, noting a formal bid is forthcoming, while Plettenberg emphasized the club’s confidence in sealing the deal, per @Plettigoal.
Why Mbeumo Chose United
Mbeumo’s decision to favor United over Champions League clubs highlights the allure of Amorim’s vision, per The Athletic. His versatility, capable of playing as a right-winger or central forward, and Premier League-proven record (70 career goals for Brentford) make him ideal for United’s 3-4-2-1 system, per WhoScored. Talks in May, coupled with endorsements from former United loanee Sergio Reguilon, a friend of Mbeumo, swayed the Cameroonian, per Manchester Evening News. United’s pursuit, described as “frantic,” reflects their urgency to bolster an attack that scored only 30 league goals last season, per ESPN.
Implications and Next Steps
The £50m deal, if completed, would be United’s second major attacking signing after Cunha, with funds potentially freed by selling Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, or Marcus Rashford, per TEAMtalk. Brentford’s Thomas Frank acknowledged Mbeumo’s value, stating, “It must be for a nice, nice amount,” per The Mirror. United’s financial constraints, worsened by a 15th-place finish and Europa League final loss, make this a bold move, per The Guardian. Mbeumo’s integration alongside Cunha could transform United’s attack, but Brentford’s firm stance may test negotiations. On X, @David_Ornstein hailed United’s pull, predicting a swift resolution.
