Bryan Mbeumo to Man Utd breakthrough comes as Brentford make key decision

Brentford have dropped a major hint that Bryan Mbeumo’s protracted transfer to Manchester United could finally be about to go through.

United have been chasing Mbeumo for weeks, but have come up against a determined resistance from Brentford, who have refused to budge over their asking price. The Bees have rejected two offers from United for the Cameroon international, who they believe is worth at least £63million.

Brentford have seen United pay £62.5m for Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Anthony Elanga go from Nottingham Forest to Newcastle for £55m and are playing hard ball over their most prized asset. Nevertheless, the club are not blind to the fact that Mbeumo wants to leave and they have begun making contingency plans.

The Evening Standard reports that they have identified Ipswich Town star Omari Hutchinson as a replacement for Mbeumo, although they have yet to make contact. Hutchinson only joined Ipswich from Chelsea last summer in a club-record deal worth £22.5m, but could be set to leave a year later.

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He got three goals and two assists in 31 appearances last season as Ipswich were relegated and reportedly prefers the idea of moving back to London. Chelsea have a buy-back clause, but are unlikely to stand in Brentford’s way, given they have already signed wingers Jamie Gittens and Estevao Willian from Borussia Dortmund and Palmeiras respectively this summer.

Brentford have already lost manager Thomas Frank to Tottenham – replacing him with Keith Andrews – and captain Christian Norgaard, who joined Arsenal, and are now facing the possible departures of Mbeumo and striker Yoane Wissa. But the west London side have developed a reputation for shrewd work in the transfer market.

Hutchinson is still only 21 years old and scored in the final as England under-21s beat Germany 3-2 in the under-21 Euros in the summer. He wants to play Premier League football next season and would relish the chance to replace Mbeumo, who got 20 league goals on the right wing in 2024/25.

Brentford director of football Phil Giles has previously denied that a deal was close to being done with United for Mbeumo, but it seems now to be a matter of time. “There's significant interest in Bryan,” he told Sky Sports. “I think it’s been well publicised and spoken about, his preference. I think from what I understand he’s also, if needs be, happy to stay at Brentford next year as well.

“Let’s see on that. I think our position is that he had an unbelievable season last season, we expected interest in him. If that deal’s right, there’s a deal to do, if not then he stays. We’ve spoken to Bryan and his representatives. It’s not a given that he’s going to depart this summer. There is interest.

“He had a great season last season so it’s inevitable there’s going to be interest in him. If we get the right offer, there’s potentially a deal to be done but there’s only so much we can say on that.”

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