Man Utd could ruin Liverpool long-term transfer plan with Bryan Mbeumo move

Manchester United have decided to pursue Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo in the summer transfer window in a transfer which could force a re-think for rivals Liverpool

Manchester United are chasing Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo in a move which could have a knock-on effect for rivals Liverpool. United had wanted to sign Ipswich striker Liam Delap alongside Wolves’ Matheus Cunha, but are now looking at a £50million deal for Mbeumo.

Delap is heading to Chelsea in a £30m transfer having snubbed United and Everton, prompting a re-think at Old Trafford. Mbeumo enjoyed a wonderful campaign for Brentford, registering 20 goals and eight assists in 38 Premier League matches, and is poised to change clubs in the summer transfer window.

United are understood to be ‘confident’ of landing Mbeumo, who has previously been linked with Liverpool, as well as Newcastle. Arne Slot’s side have also been busy in the early stages of the summer transfer window, signing Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5m while chasing the signature of his former Bayer Leverkusen team-mate Florian Wirtz.

Mbeumo plays in the same position as Mohamed Salah on the right wing and has a similar style, often cutting onto his left foot to shoot at goal. It had been suggested that the 25-year-old Cameroon international would therefore make a solid long-term successor to Salah.

Salah signed a new two-year contract with Liverpool back in April, but with the Egyptian star now 32 years old – and with a move to the Saudi Pro League still on the cards in the future – there is a need to plan ahead. If Mbeumo chooses to move to Old Trafford then it would seem that Liverpool will need to go back to the drawing board.

United are facing a crucial summer transfer window after finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final. Ruben Amorim wants to overhaul his underperforming squad and the capture of Mbeumo – alongside Cunha, who is joining in a £62.5m move – would be a statement of intent.

Brentford manager Thomas Frank has worked with Mbeumo for six years and has seen him blossom into one of the Premier League’s most effective forwards. He knows that, despite finishing 10th, five places above United, the Bees will struggle to hold onto Mbeumo, who can command much higher wages elsewhere.

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“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.”

Asked if he will remain a Brentford player next season, Frank replied: “Let’s see. We all love him. I watch him every day, he comes in with a big smile, trains with a big smile. He loves to be a Brentford player but let’s see.”