Market value: €55 million
While Brentford ended the season on a somewhat disappointing note, missing out on European football, they still achieved their best-ever Premier League finish at 10th place and set a club record of 56 points. Bryan Mbeumo was again a key player for the Bees, ending the season with an impressive tally of 20 goals, ranking him among the top scorers in the league, behind only Mohamed Salah (28), Alexander Isak (23), and Erling Haaland (21). With the club needing European qualification to retain a player of Mbeumo’s caliber, an agreement has now been reached with Manchester United for his transfer.
Mbeumo currently holds a market value of €55 million and has attracted interest from several elite Premier League clubs, including Liverpool, Arsenal, and Newcastle. However, reports from The Athletic state that Manchester United has finalized a deal with Brentford worth over €80 million, comprising an initial €75 million to be paid in four installments, with potential bonuses of up to €6.9 million. If completed, this transfer would be a significant win for Ruben Amorim’s team, given the player’s high demand.
Why Bryan Mbeumo is one of the Premier League’s most sought-after wingers
Mbeumo joined Brentford from French club Troyes in 2019 for a fee of €6.5 million, making him the club’s second most expensive signing at that time. He had a brief stint in Ligue 1 after being promoted with Troyes, but his potential was clear when Brentford snapped him up at just 19 years of age. Mbeumo quickly adapted to the intensity of English football, scoring 23 goals and providing 19 assists during his first two seasons in the Championship, often overshadowed by standout strikers like Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney.
While adapting to the Premier League can be a challenge, Mbeumo has proven himself capable, amassing 42 goals and 30 assists in 136 appearances. His upward trajectory began with a memorable debut, where he helped secure a win against Arsenal in August 2021.
Last season, Mbeumo hit the ground running, netting seven goals and assisting three in the first 15 games, though an ankle injury interrupted his momentum. Notably, he recorded a goals-per-game ratio of 0.46 since the start of last season, placing him among the league’s top wingers, alongside Mohamed Salah (0.67 gpg), Cole Palmer (0.52 gpg), and Michael Olise (0.53 gpg). Mbeumo increased his performance level significantly when Toney was suspended, establishing himself as a crucial player for Brentford.
How Bryan Mbeumo is thriving without Ivan Toney
While Toney garnered attention last season with 22 goals, a ban for breaching betting regulations caused him to miss eight months of play. He eventually transferred to Saudi Pro League team Al-Ahli for €42 million on deadline day. The absence of Toney shifted the focus onto Mbeumo, who has excelled in this new role as the key attacking force for Brentford.
The statistics show Mbeumo’s improved performance without Toney, where he scored 32 goals and assisted 17 in 64 games, resulting in a goal-per-game rate of 0.50, compared to just eight goals and nine assists in the 69 games they played together. Mbeumo seems to thrive when he can spearhead the attack.
How will Bryan Mbeumo fit in at Manchester United?
Mbeumo is known for his lethal left foot and performs best cutting in from the right wing. This could have impacted potential moves to Arsenal, where Bukayo Saka occupies that position. In Manchester United, Mbeumo is likely to play as the ‘right no. 10’ in Amorim’s forward setup, which would affect the positioning of young talent Amad Diallo, who may revert to the right-wing-back role. With Matheus Cunha already signed to fill the ‘left no. 10’ position, Manchester United could see a transformed attacking lineup next season. Securing Mbeumo, despite the substantial cost, would mark a positive shift for the club after a challenging season.
