Manchester United’s pursuit of Bryan Mbeumo has hit a snag after Brentford increased their valuation of the forward to close to £70m, above United’s long‑standing ceiling of £65m. Mbeumo has informed Brentford he wants the move, and United’s leadership believed at the end of June that a £65m package and imminent medical would conclude the deal. Brentford’s firmer stance reflects confidence drawn from a contract that runs to next summer with a club option for a further year.
United are reluctant to be drawn into a bidding escalation and could look to generate funds before reconsidering their position. Money may be raised through sales or loans, with Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia all understood to have asked to explore moves, and the club prepared to listen. Head coach Ruben Amorim also prioritises a striker addition; so far the only incoming senior signing is Matheus Cunha, acquired from Wolves for £62.5m.
Time pressure is mounting. United open the Premier League season at home to Arsenal in just over four weeks. Pre‑season starts Saturday in Stockholm against Leeds, after which the squad flies to the United States for fixtures against West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton. Amorim hopes clarity on attacking options will arrive before the tour ends so tactical work can be bedded in.
Brentford, meanwhile, are reshaping their squad and have turned attention to Omari Hutchinson. Attempts to activate the Ipswich forward’s £35m release clause failed before a 5pm Tuesday deadline because the bid was structured in instalments; Ipswich required the fee up front. With the clause now lapsed, the Suffolk club hold greater leverage, yet a revised proposal with improved payment terms could still tempt them.
Hutchinson impressed in England’s victorious recent European Under‑21 Championship campaign and is viewed by Brentford’s new regime under Keith Andrews as a high‑upside addition. In separate business, Bournemouth have completed the £25m signing of goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic from Chelsea on a five‑year contract. The Serbia international said he chose Bournemouth to develop at the highest level and believes the club’s infrastructure can help deliver that ambition.
The impasse over structure as much as headline fee underlines how payment timing increasingly shapes Premier League deals; cash-now clauses can reset negotiations overnight. For United, every million saved on Mbeumo could be reallocated to the sought-after centre‑forward. For Brentford, maximising assets while refreshing the squad defines their summer strategy in west London.
