EXCLUSIVE: An Update on Manchester United’s Interest in Gyokeres and Mbeumo

Manchester United are adopting a composed stance in their efforts to sign Bryan Mbeumo and Viktor Gyokeres, holding onto hope that deals for both players are still achievable.

Bringing in these two forwards would greatly bolster United’s attacking options for the upcoming season. The club remains optimistic about securing their services as manager Ruben Amorim views them as crucial to re-establishing United’s status among the Premier League’s elite.

The situation surrounding Gyokeres has become rather intricate. Initial reports indicated that United could acquire him for approximately £58 million, with sources suggesting that Amorim had urged the club to move forward with the transfer.

However, Sporting CP has since revised their stance, demanding a higher transfer fee. Additionally, Arsenal has entered the fray in their search for a new striker.

Arsenal are also contemplating a bid for RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko. Should they prioritise that transfer, United believe they can secure Gyokeres, even if it means making astute negotiations.

Sources indicate that Amorim has a deep admiration for his former striker from their time together in Portugal and has urged the club to do everything possible to make the transfer happen.

The market for centre-forwards has proven to be quite challenging. Victor Osimhen was initially United’s primary target, but his personal demands were viewed as too steep. The club subsequently turned their attention to Liam Delap from Ipswich Town, considering him a smart value option at £30 million, but he chose Chelsea instead.

Should Gyokeres slip through their fingers, United may need to explore other options. Names like Hugo Ekitike and Jean-Philippe Mateta have emerged as potential targets, with Ollie Watkins and Randal Kolo Muani also in the mix if the negotiations drag on.

Mbeumo Prefers a Move to Old Trafford

The pursuit of Brentford’s Mbeumo is proving to be another complex affair for United.

They were quick to express interest in Mbeumo, but the situation became tangled last week when Tottenham entered the scene, aiming to reunite him with his former Brentford manager, Thomas Frank, with discussions around a potential £70 million fee – the asking price that Brentford would ideally prefer.

United are not keen on meeting that valuation or getting dragged into a bidding war.

It is unclear how serious Tottenham’s interest truly is. Regardless of the speculation, United maintain strong confidence in securing Mbeumo and expect a positive outcome by the end of the month.

Sources hint that Mbeumo has privately expressed that Old Trafford is his desired destination, echoing the sentiments of Matheus Cunha before his own transfer from Wolves.

The release of the Premier League fixtures on Wednesday has heightened the urgency of United’s transfer activities. They begin their season with a challenging home fixture against Arsenal, followed by early confrontations with Manchester City and Chelsea.

The tight schedule intensifies the need for the squad to be ready promptly, and internally, there’s a conviction that they will meet that challenge.

Moreover, the club is actively looking for new clubs for players who are not in their long-term plans.

In the forward line, this includes Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, and Jadon Sancho.

Each case brings its unique challenges, but Garnacho’s situation is particularly vexatious. He is perceived as the most likely candidate to fetch a significant fee that could be reinvested, yet he has shown little eagerness for the offers being presented.