Manchester United have set their sights on Bryan Mbeumo, but signing the Brentford man would not come cheap. Less than a week into the summer transfer window, Ruben Amorim is staring down the possibility of his entire budget being used up.
The Red Devils have already paid £62.5million to lure Matheus Cunha away from Wolves, and it is understood that a similar fee will be required to pinch Mbeumo from the Gtech Community Stadium. A total package worth £55m was reportedly submitted on Wednesday, but the Bees are demanding more for the player who scored 20 Premier League goals last season.
According to The Telegraph, the signings of Cunha and Mbeumo would use up the entirety of United’s summer transfer budget. As a result, every other signing will have to be funded through the sales of existing squad members.
And despite his strong performances towards the back end of last campaign, Casemiro is one of the players on the chopping block. United chiefs have reportedly decided that they will ‘listen to offers’ for the Brazilian, who is one of the top earners at Old Trafford.
Casemiro only has a year left to run on his contract, and he has been linked with clubs in the Saudi Pro League. This summer may be United’s last chance to bank a fee for the 33-year-old, who cost them £70m in 2022.
Offloading Casemiro risks irking the fans who viewed the veteran midfielder as one of the few shining lights in an otherwise miserable season. He is not the only high-profile star with a good chance of leaving during the current window.
Among the other players United would be willing to part with in order to fund the rest of their transfer spree are Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Rasmus Hojlund and Antony. Kobbie Mainoo is also worth big money, but Red Devils chiefs may look to keep him as an extra midfield option if Casemiro departs.
The fact United have focused all of their early-window recruitment efforts on bolstering their forward-line is telling. Amorim’s side struggled in front of goal last term, and they have moved swiftly to sign in-form players with Premier League experience.
United were also keen on Liam Delap before he opted for Chelsea out of numerous interested clubs. It remains to be seen whether INEOS go after another out-and-out centre-forward, or whether Cunha and Mbeumo would be enough to revitalise Amorim’s front-three.
