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Manchester United have reached a “basic agreement” with Brentford to sign Bryan Mbeumo in a total package worth £65 million, according to a report.
Mbeumo, 25, has emerged as a key target for the Red Devils this summer as Ruben Amorim prioritises reinforcements to bolster his misfiring forward line.
A £62.5 million deal has already been agreed to secure Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers while the hunt for a new number nine is ongoing.
But Amorim was keen to add a third member to his new-look attack with Mbeumo offering him the perfect profile – a proven goal-scorer, with Premier League pedigree, and positional versatility within the Portuguese coach’s 3-4-2-1 system.
The Cameroon international enjoyed the best campaign of his career last season, returning 20 goals and eight assists in the league for Brentford. Only Mohammed Salah, Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland scored more.
By comparison, no player in Amorim’s squad reached double figures with the senior striking partnership of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee combining for just seven goals between them.
Amorim personally approved Mbeumo as a target which signals United’s two most-effective attackers, Bruno Fernandes and Amad, will continue to be redeployed in deeper positions – central midfield and right wing-back – next season.
Earlier this month, United’s opening offer for Mbeumo, worth £55 million (£45m + £10m in add-ons), was rejected by Brentford with the Bees citing Cunha’s fee as a benchmark to sanction their attacking talisman’s departure.
Weeks of protracted negotiations followed with a breakthrough only reached yesterday after an agreement was struck between the two clubs for Mbeumo to complete his dream move to Old Trafford.
Journalist Rich Fay (Manchester World) now reveals the exact parameters of the offer United have presented – a £60 million base fee with around £5 million in add-ons.
“Manchester United have reached a basic agreement to sign Bryan Mbuemo from Brentford in the summer transfer window. It is understood United are happy to pay a £60 million base fee for the forward, with add-ons set to take the overall package towards roughly £65m.
“Brentford have used the transfer of Matheus Cunha as a benchmark for Mbeumo and believe he should be valued at least as highly as the Wolves star, who has joined United for £62.5m. The London club initially set a £65m valuation for Mbeumo and made it clear he was not for sale unless a side paid the bulk of that fee upfront.”
The deal has not been finalised as the two clubs are still negotiating the precise payment structure of the £60 million base fee and determining what “achievable add-ons” will be included to round up the total package.
But United are described as “confident they will wrap up a deal for the 25-year-old soon and have him in place when they begin their pre-season schedule early next month.”
A host of Premier League clubs expressed interested in Mbeumo, including rivals Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Tottenham Hotspur, but he only had eyes for the Theatre of Dreams.
And the move will now finally reach a successful conclusion as the Cameroonian joins Cunha in forming the basis of Amorim’s new forward line in Manchester for combined fees in excess of £125 million.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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