Manchester United’s pursuit of Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo has hit a fresh stumbling block, as the Red Devils struggle to meet the financial demands laid out by the Bees.
The Cameroon international — who netted an impressive 20 Premier League goals in the 2024–25 campaign — is on the radar of both Man United and Tottenham Hotspur. While United appear to be Mbeumo’s preferred destination, negotiations have grown increasingly complicated.
According to the Evening Standard, Brentford are using Matheus Cunha’s £62.5m transfer to Manchester United as a benchmark for the Mbeumo deal and are demanding a similar figure — but with stronger payment terms.
Brentford are reportedly insisting on as much of the £62.5m fee as possible to be paid upfront, a structure Manchester United are hesitant to accept. Though they eventually agreed to pay Wolves for Cunha in three instalments over two years, they’re currently unwilling to replicate that approach for Mbeumo.
United had already seen a bid of £45m plus £10m in add-ons rejected, and their revised offer of £51m guaranteed has not satisfied Brentford’s financial expectations.
This transfer deadlock is music to Tottenham’s ears. Spurs are also pushing hard for Mbeumo, and unlike United, they can offer Champions League football and the chance to reunite with Thomas Frank — the coach under whom Mbeumo thrived.
Despite that, the 24-year-old is believed to favour a switch to Old Trafford, which may yet tip the scales if United can meet Brentford’s terms — or if Mbeumo himself applies pressure.
While Mbeumo’s current deal expires in 2026, Brentford hold the option to extend it until 2027, giving them added leverage at the negotiating table. Since joining from Troyes in 2019, he’s registered 70 goals and 51 assists in 242 games — a testament to his attacking versatility and consistency.
Should talks collapse, Manchester United have backup options lined up. Initial discussions have been held with Chelsea over Christopher Nkunku, while other names like Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman, Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh, and Southampton’s Tyler Dibling are reportedly under consideration.
Ruben Amorim is believed to want one more attacking addition this summer, but any new arrival would likely operate behind Matheus Cunha and Bruno Fernandes in United’s attacking pecking order.
With less than 10 weeks until the transfer window closes, all eyes will be on whether United can meet Brentford’s terms — or if Tottenham swoop in to steal the deal.