Bryan Mbeumo has finally completed his long-awaited move to Manchester United from Brentford in a £71million deal – but negotiations have been fractious and the Red Devils are furious with the actions of the London club
Manchester United completed the signing of Bryan Mbeumo for £71million – then blasted Brentford for trying to sell him elsewhere and scupper their deal.
United landed Mbeumo with a third offer of £65m plus £6m in add-ons, but it emerged Brentford put pressure on the forward to go to Newcastle or Tottenham. Arsenal were also in for the 25-year-old and Chelsea made a late move for him, but Mbeumo was only ever interested in joining United and told Brentford he was not prepared to go anywhere else.
It also emerged Brentford put pressure on Mbeumo to reduce his wage demands, to increase the size of the fee they would receive, but United honoured his desire to join them by agreeing to pay him £200,000-a-week.
Sources involved in the deal claim Brentford wanted a fee of £70m plus £7m in add-ons for Mbeumo, but United managed to negotiate down that final figure, with the £6m add-ons relating to a mix of team and individual performances.
Brentford felt United agreed a high wage with Mbeumo to take rival clubs out of the running for him, then began negotiations over the fee at a low starting point – £45m plus £10m in add-ons. Former Brentford boss Thomas Frank, now at Tottenham, knew the price his old club wanted for Mbeumo, so Spurs were prepared to pay more than United, but the player insisted he would only go to Old Trafford.
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Mbeumo will fly with the rest of the United squad today for their pre-season tour of the US and will make his debut on Saturday against West Ham in New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium. The Cameroon international has signed a contract until June 2030, with the option of an extra year and will earn £200,000-a-week.
Jason Wilcox, United’s Director of Football, said: “Bryan’s goals and assists record in the Premier League is exceptional, his remarkable consistency has put him amongst the most productive players in England for the last three seasons.
“Bryan’s belief in our project and determination to join the club confirmed that he was the perfect fit for Manchester United and the culture that we are developing.
“We are delighted to have secured another one of our primary targets ahead of the pre-season tour. The experience in the US will be the perfect opportunity for Bryan to work with Ruben and his new team-mates as we prepare for an exciting season ahead.”
Mbeumo, who scored 20 Premier League goals last season and produced eight assists, said: “As soon as I knew there was a chance to join Manchester United, I had to take the opportunity to sign for the club of my dreams – the team whose shirt I wore growing up.
“My mentality is to always be better than I was yesterday. I know that I have the spirit and character to reach another level here, learning from Ruben Amorim and playing alongside world-class players.
“Everybody told me about the environment that is being created here and how exciting the plans are for the future. This is a massive club, with an incredible stadium and amazing fans, we are all really determined to challenge for the biggest trophies.”
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