Manchester United in race against time to sign Bryan Mbeumo for start of pre-season | OneFootball

Brentford refusing to lower asking price for forward as United plot new bid

Brentford are holding firm over their asking price for Bryan Mbeumo, as Manchester United face a race against time to reach an agreement for the forward before pre-season starts.

The Bees more than £63million for Mbeumo and are refusing to lower that valuation.

United are said to want to wrap up a move for Mbeumo this week and are continuing to work on a deal.

But Mbeumo is due back at Brentford for the start of pre-season next Monday and will be expected to report to the west London club if a deal with United has not been agreed.

Mbeumo scored 20 Premier League goals last season

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United also begin their pre-season preparations at Carrington next week and Ruben Amorim is keen to get Mbeumo in the door so he can have a full pre-season with the 25-year-old.

United are said to be preparing a third bid for Mbeumo but have been told Brentford want more than the £62.5m they paid Wolves for Matheus Cunha.

United had a second bid for Mbeumo worth an initial £55m plus £7.5m in add-ons rejected by Brentford, and talks are ongoing.

Mbeumo, who scored 20 Premier League goals last season, has made it clear he wants to move to Old Trafford.

But Brentford director of football Phil Giles said on Monday that, despite Mbeumo having “his ideas about where he wants to take his career”, it was “not impossible” that he would stay at Brentford next season.

“He had a fantastic season," said Giles. “We expected big interest in him; we have had big interest in him.

"He has his ideas about where he wants to take his career. He is well within his rights to do that.

"It is not impossible he is still a Brentford player next season if we agree he is going to stay."