Man Utd lodge £55m opening bid for Bryan Mbeumo but fall some way short of Brentford's valuation of 20-goal attacker

Mbeumo, 25, has expressed a strong interest in joining United, aligning with manager Ruben Amorim's plans to revamp the squad's attacking options. Despite having a year left on his contract with an option for a 12-month extension, Brentford are open to negotiations but remain firm on their asking price of £60m ($81m), as revealed by The Athletic.

Mbeumo netted 20 goals and provided eight assists during the 2024-25 season, playing a pivotal role in Brentford's 10th-place finish. His versatility, capable of operating both on the wing and centrally, adds to his appeal for top-tier clubs seeking dynamic attacking options.

In line with his elevated status, Mbeumo is reportedly seeking a substantial wage increase, aiming for a weekly salary of £250,000, five times his current earnings. United's pursuit of Mbeumo is part of a broader strategy to revitalize the team after a lacklustre season, where they finished 15th in the Premier League and failed to secure European competition. Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund were massive flops and the Red Devils managed just 44 league goals, which was the second-worst return among all teams excluding the relegated ones.

United have already secured the services of Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5m, aiming to inject creativity and goal-scoring prowess into the squad. While their initial bid falls short of Brentford's valuation, ongoing negotiations and Mbeumo's expressed desire to join the Red Devils suggest a potential agreement could be reached.