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Brentford manager Thomas Frank are open to selling long-term Manchester United target Bryan Mbeumo this summer for the “right price”.
Mbeumo, 25, has emerged as one of the Premier League’s “most prolific forwards” this season with 18 goals and six assists in 33 games this season, according to The Athletic.
Only Mohammed Salah (Liverpool), Alexander Isak (Newcastle), Erling Haaland (Manchester City) and Chris Wood (Nottingham Forest) have more goals than the Cameroonian international, with Salah the only other attacker to have more assists amongst the division’s top scorers.
But each of these teams are currently sat within the top six of the table, on track to secure European football next season. Brentford, by contrast, are sat in 11th in the table with only seven points more than United in 14th.
No other side outside the ‘top six’ have scored more often than Frank’s sides with Mbeumo’s performance on the right-wing fundamental to this attacking output – 56 goals for the Bees.
As a comparison, the Red Devils have scored just 39 times this year and are on track for the club’s worst goal returns in a Premier League season in history; indeed, their worst season in general in the division’s era.
United’s top scorer is Bruno Fernandes with eight, despite the captain often playing deeper in midfield under Amorim. Ivorian winger Amad is next on the list with six, though the 22-year-old has been ruled out with a serious ankle injury for nearly three months.
The Reds’ striking partnership of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have combined for just seven goals – four and three apiece – demonstrating the wholly ineffective attack United have been hamstrung by this season.
Attacking reinforcements are considered a priority at Old Trafford this summer with talks progressing over a move for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ forward Matheus Cunha. Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap – whose contract at Portman Road contains a £30 million release clause now the Tractor Boys have been relegated – is also a primary target, though European football will prove key to a pursuit of the 22-year-old.
But neither player has scored as often as Mbeumo and United have been strongly linked with a move for the Cameroonian, who has also previously played as a right wing-back when Frank has utilised a three-at-the-back system – the exact same system Amorim is continuing to refine at Old Trafford.
This pairing of a proven track record of goals and positional versatility within Amorim’s set-up is likely to be a highly attractive combination for United, explaining their long-standing interest in the 25-year-old winger.
There is a sense of acceptance at the Gtech Community Stadium that Mbeumo may not be a Brentford player come next season. But Frank is adamant it will take an “expensive” offer for the Bees to consider their star player’s exit.
“If the right price — and that’s going to be expensive — is coming, then I’m sure the club will be open to it,” the Danish manager states.
Frank believes Mbeumo is “very happy” in London and does not think he will push for a move, but concedes Brentford are a “selling club” and are prepared to business, but only on their terms – demonstrated by the costly departures of Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney in recent years.
“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.
“I lost Neal Maupay, Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney as three key strikers that were 25 goals plus. Every season we replace the goals with other players so I am confident that we can do it again.”
United’s pursuit of Mbeumo would arm Amorim with two excellent options on the right-hand side, along with Amad, who are both capable of playing at right wing-back or as the right-hand sided number ten in his system. It will just cost a pretty penny to do so.
Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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