Brentford have put a hefty price tag on Manchester United target Bryan Mbeumo, according to a report.
United have drawn up a list of striker targets after signing Patrick Dorgu from Lecce in January. They have hoped to move for a forward in the window too, but instead were made to wait until the summer.
Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha of Wolves, Ipswich centre forward Liam Delap and Jonathan David, the Lille striker who has been on United’s radar for some time, have all been tracked by club scouts.
But United need to be sure of moving players out before they can bring any in, and homegrown stars Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo would generate by far the most profit under FFP rules, as previously revealed by Confidential.
Shifting Marcus Rashford’s £315,000-a-week salary off the wage bill would also give United extra room for manoeuvre, although sources say there is no guarantee of any new signings.
They will, though, likely move for a forward, and will have to cough up £60million if they want to sign Mbeumo, according to the Telegraph.
Brentford have slapped a hefty price tag on Manchester United target Bryan Mbeumo, according to a report
The forward is one of several front men that the club have been keeping tabs on this season
It is expected to be a busy summer for Ruben Amorim and Co, who may have to sell first
Brentford boss Thomas Frank, meanwhile, acknowledged that his side ‘are a selling club’
Mbeumo has been one of the stars of another successful season for Brentford, who still have hope of hunting down a Europa Conference League place ahead of next season.
He has scored 18 goals and picked up a further seven assists this term, working in tandem with Yoane Wissa, who himself has notched up 18 strikes.
As has been the way over the last few years for Brentford, their best players will be targeted by bigger sides, with Wissa the subject of a bid from Nottingham Forest in the January window.
It is also believed that Newcastle are monitoring Mbeumo ahead of a potential summer bid.
The Cameroonian’s versatility is also a strong point of his game. He has often played on the right for the Bees – though can fill in up front or even at wing back.
Frank, meanwhile, has admitted his side are somewhat resigned to losing their star man.
‘If the price is right – and that’s going to be expensive – is coming, then I’m sure the club will be open to it,’ Frank told Sky Sports earlier this season. ‘I’ve said many times, we are a selling club. But at the same time we have to reinforce that there are 10 clubs in the world who aren’t selling clubs.’
He lined up against his potential future side on Sunday as Brentford played United in the Premier League, looking to put pressure on Bournemouth in eighth place.
