Manchester United are eyeing Antony’s replacement as they are among many Premier League clubs showing interest in Brentford’s forward Bryan Mbeumo as the January transfer window heats up. According to RMC Sport, United is monitoring the 25 year old Cameroon international, who has been in brilliant form since the start of this season with 13 goals and four assists across all competitions so far.
United are joined by Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur in the pursuit for Mbeumo, but the London club are not willing to sell their star man cheaply. With a contract running until 2027 and a market value of around £42 million, Brentford is likely to demand a fee closer to £60 million to sanction the Cameroonian’s sale.
For Manchester United who have struggled upfront, Mbeumo represents a potential solution to the team's challenges. With Antony struggling to make it into the team and a potential loan move to Real Betis, United is short of options upfront. Marcus Rashford’s situation is also tricky and may leave on a January loan amid talks with Seria-A giants AC Milan. The need for reinforcements is further amplified by speculation surrounding Alejandro Garnacho’s future. However, his transfer stories have since cooled down as he makes his way to the playing side.
While Marcus Rashford primarily operates on the left and the team lacking reliable options on the right as well, Mbeumo’s profile as a left footed inside forward could be the ideal fit. His versatility across the front line and proven Premier League experience makes him an interesting option for Manchester United.
Mbeumo has been impressive this season and has caught the eye of top clubs across Europe. The forward has been particularly impressive for Brentford since joining from Troyes for just £5.5 million in 2019, scoring 63 goals in 225 appearances. His goalscoring ability combined with playmaking makes him a highly sought after asset.
However, Manchester United’s financial situation is surely a complicated one and would need some sales before this transfer can go ahead. The club is cautious about breaching financial fair play regulations and may need to offload players to fund a big money move. This particular situation could give Arsenal or Tottenham an edge in the race, with both clubs also keen to strengthen their attacking options.
ALSO READ: Canadian Full Back signs new Contract with Manchester United