Manchester United transfer state of play: Bryan Mbeumo negotiations, striker search & slow sales

Manchester United transfer state of play: Bryan Mbeumo negotiations, striker search & slow sales

Man United are working round the clock to try and oversee the necessary changes to their squad in this summer's transfer window.

Manchester United remain determined to sign Bryan Mbeumo. (Image: David Rogers/Getty Images. )

After announcing they had reached an agreement with Wolves to sign Matheus Cunha on the opening day of the transfer window last month, Manchester United finalised the deal just 11 days later.

It was United's way of laying down an early marker and confirming they meant business this summer. In between triggering Cunha's £62.5million release clause and unveiling him as their first summer signing, they also tabled their opening offer for Brentford ace Bryan Mbeumo.

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United saw their opening offer of £55m turned down for the Cameroon international, but a second bid, understood to be in excess of £60m, looked as though it would be enough to lure him to Old Trafford.

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However, despite this publication confirming a deal was close almost three weeks ago, negotiations between United and Brentford remain ongoing. Both the Reds and the attacker are equally keen to get a deal over the line.

With just over a week to go until the squad will fly to the United States for their pre-season tour, United are in a race against time to ensure Mbeumo gets a place on the plane. New signings have linked up with the squad mid-tour before, such as Andre Onana two years ago, but it would be ideal to have Mbeumo in place beforehand.

United have rightly prioritised attacking signings this summer and the addition of Cunha, who scored 17 goals across all competitions last season, marked an excellent start. However, the Brazilian's addition to the squad so early in the window immediately raised the benchmark.

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Having been in discussions with Brentford for more than a month, some United fans are becoming frustrated. Some are even suggesting the club should abandon their pursuit.

In addition to wanting to sign Mbeumo, United are also prioritising the addition of a striker this summer. Liam Delap was earmarked as a top target ahead of the window opening on June 1 because of the £30m release clause in his Ipswich Town contract.

As big a risk as it was to try and sign another relatively raw and unproven striker, his release clause meant he was an attainable option. However, Chelsea were more appealing to Delap and he moved to Stamford Bridge.

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Liam Delap turned down a move to Manchester United. (Image: Carmen Mandato - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images. )

United continue to be linked with strikers both domestically and abroad, whether they be attached to clubs or free agents, but no concrete bids are understood to have been submitted. It is likely this particular search will go deep into the window.

As far as outgoings are concerned, it is no secret by now Tyrell Malacia, Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Antony have informed the club they want to leave. They are not training with the rest of the squad at Carrington and United are equally keen to offload them.

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However, offers have not been forthcoming thus far, meaning United are not understood to be close to saying farewell to any of them. Rashford's and Sancho's wages could be problematic for prospective suitors, particularly in Rashford's case, meaning his most likely exit route could be via a loan deal.

Rashford, who is valued at £40m, wants to move to a club that can offer him Champions League football. Barcelona and Bayern Munich continue to be linked with him.

Real Betis, meanwhile, are continuing to express interest in Antony after his successful loan spell in Seville in the second half of last season, but they are yet to come up with a formal offer. United need to sell him for £32.58m to avoid a loss under the profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

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