Man Utd target Mbeumo performed U-turn after private meeting with his hero

Bryan Mbeumo is a £50million transfer target for Manchester United this summer - and the Brentford forward is no stranger to making tough decisions about his future

Bryan Mbeumo stands on the brink of the biggest summer of his career as Manchester United chase his signature – but the Brentford star is no stranger to making big decisions. The 25-year-old forward is poised to move in the summer transfer window after enjoying a stand-out season that has thrust him into the spotlight.

Mbeumo racked up 20 goals and eight assists in 38 Premier League matches for Brentford this season and was one of the league’s stand-out players. He has been linked with Newcastle, Liverpool and Tottenham, but it is Manchester United who are understood to be the most keen on the £50million-rated forward.

The Bees star is keen to play European football – a factor that could count against United – after working his way into the top tier of Premier League forwards. Mbeumo has been at Brentford for six years, having joined from French side Troyes when they were in the Championship.

His form for Brentford has earned admiring glances before – and just not from rival clubs. Back in the summer of 2022 it was legendary former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o who was keeping an eye on him in his role as president of the Cameroon Football Federation.

Mbeumo was born in France and played for Les Bleus’ from under-17 to under-21 level, but never received a senior call-up. His dad is from Cameroon and Eto’o came to see Mbeumo with a proposal ahead of the 2022 World Cup.

“It was just the two of us, I met him in a restaurant,” Mbeumo told the Brentford club website back in November 2022. “He came to London to see me. I know from my dad, who’s Cameroonian, that it could be a good opportunity.

“When he approached me in the first place, I didn’t know if I would go or not. But after speaking to him, he explained to me about the project and I was happy with it. Afterwards, he gave me a bit of time to think about it before I gave my decision, and then I decided to play for them.

“I was a bit nervous to meet him! He’s a legend of African football and football in general. I also asked him questions about being a striker, how he did certain things, how he dealt with certain situations, and he gave me advice. Talking about football with him was great.”

He added: “I’m very proud for me and my family to represent the country. My dad was very happy – I also did this for him. I knew how proud he would be and he felt amazing after I made my debut and played those two games.”

Mbeumo now has 22 caps and six goals for Cameroon and is hoping to take the next step in his club career this summer. While he wants to keep hold of him, Brentford manager Thomas Frank knows his star player is capable of taking a step up – even if it is to a team, like United, who finished five places lower this season.

“He’s been fantastic,” he told Sky Sports recently. “For me, it’s been a privilege to work with him for six years and see his development from a teenager, I think he was 19 when he came or a young man, to a more grown-up man in many ways. And that personal development I think is equally as important.

“I always knew he was a goalscorer. Now he’s now just a more consistent goalscorer. His hold-up play is even better, his assist play or link-up play, his work ethic is fantastic. So very impressed.”