Manchester United escalates Bryan Mbeumo pursuit with a huge bid

Manchester United has significantly upped the ante in their bid to sign Brentford's prolific forward, Bryan Mbeumo. Following an initial offer of up to £55 million which was rejected, United has now returned with an improved proposal exceeding £60 million. This intensified pursuit highlights United's long-standing admiration for Mbeumo and their belief that he is an excellent fit for Ruben Amorim's tactical system.

Brentford, meanwhile, isn't under pressure to sell but is willing to listen to offers that meet their valuation, which stands at over £60 million. Mbeumo effectively has two years remaining on his current contract, giving the Bees some leverage in negotiations. Interestingly, Tottenham Hotspur also held initial talks with Brentford in June regarding the 25-year-old, as revealed by Sky Sports News.

Sources indicate that Mbeumo is intrigued by the prospect of joining Spurs, particularly with his former boss Thomas Frank now at the helm. However, one source has suggested to Sky Sports News that, as it stands, Mbeumo is leaning towards a move to Manchester United.

There's a sentiment within Brentford that Mbeumo has earned the opportunity to transition to a bigger club this summer, provided his valuation is met. This comes as United has already secured another significant signing, agreeing a £62.5 million deal for Matheus Cunha from Wolves.

What the stats say: Bryan Mbeumo's impact

According to Sky Sports Data Editor Adam Smith, Bryan Mbeumo's statistics underscore his immense value:

He scored 20 goals in the Premier League last season, playing a crucial role in Brentford securing a top-half finish. Only three players in the league outscored him.Beyond his goals, he also notched seven assists. However, his expected assists (xA) figure of 9.26 — a league-topping statistic — suggests he should have registered even more, primarily due to his league-leading 202 crosses during the campaign.Mbeumo is also one of the hardest-working players in the league. Only two players covered more distance or attempted more sprints throughout the season.His blistering speed is another key attribute, clocking the fourth-fastest speed in the league at 36.63 km/h.In terms of form, only Mohamed Salah accumulated more Power Rankings points than Mbeumo last term, according to the Sky Sports Power Rankings.Crucially, his 27 goal contributions (goals or assists that directly influenced game outcomes) earned Brentford an impressive 22 points, equating to 40% of the Bees' total points for the season.

Mbeumo's continued high-level performance would undoubtedly be a major draw for any club. The coming weeks will determine if Manchester United can successfully complete this high-profile transfer, or if other suitors will enter the fray for Brentford's coveted forward.