Tottenham Hotspur have been handed a massive boost in the race to sign Brentford attacker Bryan Mbeumo ahead of Premier League rivals Manchester United.
According to the Evening Standard, United are struggling to meet Brentford’s lofty demands for the in-form attacker and Spurs are ready to pounce.
The Cameroon international is coming off the most prolific campaign of his career. He netted 20 Premier League goals and weighed in with a further eight assists.
He was also an ever-present figure for the Bees, featuring in every Premier League game last season.
Mbeumo is certainly one of the most exciting attackers in the Premier League. He’s poised to leave Brentford this summer, but his next destination is anyone’s guess.
United were first to make a move for the 25-year-old winger. They tabled an initial £45 million bid, with an additional £10m in performance-related add-ons.
But it wasn’t enough to convince Brentford to sell their high-value asset. The Bees made it clear that they wanted at least £70m for Mbeumo – a figure that wouldn’t be a problem for Spurs.
To make matters worse for United, Brentford want most of the fee paid upfront rather than splitting it into several investments.
That stipulation has thrown a wrench into United’s plans. The Red Devils recently announced a deal for Matheus Cunha and were forced to part ways with a £62m fee.
Given their tricky position with the Premier League’s Profit & Sustainability Rules (PSR), they’ll find it difficult to cough up another huge fee unless it’s under favourable conditions.
That impasse has opened the door for Tottenham to swoop in. The north Londoners are one of the most PSR-healthy clubs in the league and should have no problems meeting Brentford’s demands.
Appointing Thomas Frank has also given them a fighting chance. The Dane was the one who brought Mbeumo to England six years ago, and the pair have a solid relationship.
With Champions League football also on the table, Spurs are now looking like serious contenders for Mbeumo’s signature.
There are reports that Mbeumo is leaning more towards a move to United, but you wouldn’t rule out a U-turn that sees him follow Frank across the capital this summer.