Man United exploring alternative options as a deal for Bryan Mbeumo stalls | OneFootball

Manchester United are keeping tabs on other options to bolster Ruben Amorim’s frontline as a deal for Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo stalls.

To Wait or Not to Wait

Mbeumo, 25, rapidly emerged as a key target for the Red Devils this summer after the club’s worst season in the Premier League era.

United finished 15th in the table with a paltry 44 goals scored. Only four teams – Everton and three relegated sides, Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton, scored fewer) – while the senior striking partnership of Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee combined for just seven league goals.

By contrast, Mbeumo enjoyed the best campaign of his career, returning 20 goas and eight assists for Brentford.

The Cameroon international offers pace and power in abundance – two attributes Amorim has sought to improve in the United squad – and is positionally versatile, having played as a striker, a winger, a number ten, and even as a wing-back at the Gtech Community Stadium.

United saw an opening bid worth £55 million rejected by Brentford with the Bees citing the £62.5 million fee agreed to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers as a benchmark to sanction their talismanic forward’s exit.

But Brentford then rejected United’s follow up offer, worth a total of £62.5 million (£55m + £7.5m in add-ons), after deals elsewhere in the Premier League emboldened their valuation of Mbeumo.

There is still optimism at Old Trafford that an agreement will be reached for Mbeumo. But both Brentford and the Cameroonian are growing frustrated with the lack of progress with reports suggesting talks have stalled.

Alternative Options

Naturally, United identified a number of alternatives should a deal for Mbeumo fail to materialise.

One option high on the list was AFC Bournemouth wide man, Antoine Semenyo, who enjoyed a brilliant season last year. But the Ghanian recently signed a new contract with the Cherries and looks set to remain on the south coast.

Another option just 30 miles to the east is Tyler Dibling – Southampton’s electric 19-year-old winger who was a rare bright spot in an otherwise dismal campaign for the Saints.

Florian Plettenberg (Sky Sports) reveals United are “keen” on Dibling after he impressed against the Red Devils last year, tormenting Diogo Dalot and offering a constant threat to Andre Onana’s goal.

Despite reports earlier in the season suggesting a far more expensive price, he is valued at around the €55–65 million (£50-55m) mark by Southampton.

Tweet: “So far, Southampton have not received any concrete offers for Tyler #Dibling, but there have been many enquiries. Understand Manchester United, Tottenham, Forest and West Ham are keen on him. Southampton’s price valuation is set at €55–65m.

Tim Steidten on Sky: ‘He is an outstanding player – with that street football mentality, that special dynamism. He is a player who can suddenly stop, turn, and accelerate again. His first touch is exceptional. He has immense potential. I believe he will end up being too expensive for a German club, which is why I think he will move within England.'”

Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham are also credited with interest in Dibling but Southampton are yet to receive any “concrete offers” for their starlet.

If United were to make a move for the winger, however, it would prove a relatively simple deal to complete in comparison to the gruelling negotiations of the past month with Brentford for Mbeumo.

Feature image Michael Regan via Getty Images

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