Newcastle United shelved their interest in signing Bryan Mbeumo and that looks to be the right decision as Manchester United see their hopes of signing the forward take a huge blow.
Newcastle thought Mbeumo was too expensive and walked away from talks to sign the Brentford star.
Mbeumo wanted to be Newcastle’s highest-paid player, which is quite the demand given the presence of Alexander Isak on Tyneside.
Manchester United are trying to sign Mbeumo, who made it clear that Old Trafford was his preference this summer.
Still, a recent update suggests they are now struggling, potentially leaving the former Newcastle United transfer target in limbo.
- READ MORE: Anthony Elanga vs Bryan Mbeumo, what the stats tell us about Newcastle United’s new £55m star
Manchester United’s move for Bryan Mbeumo stalls
According to The Guardian, Brentford have now upped their asking price to £70million for the Cameroon international.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who owns a stake in the Manchester giants, is understood to be unwilling to be held to ransom by the west London club.
They initially believed a deal worth £65million was enough to seal a move but the goalposts appear to have been moved.
Brentford believe they are in a strong position. Mbeumo’s contract runs out next summer but the club have the option to extend that by another 12 months, so they are not under huge pressure to sell.
Newcastle United the big winners of the Bryan Mbeumo saga
Newcastle signed Anthony Elanga for £55million to end their long-running pursuit of a new right-winger.
Eddie Howe is excited to work with Elanga, and the hope is that the Newcastle United manager can improve the Sweden international even further.
As a result, Newcastle look the big winners here. They’ve strengthened at right wing with a player they’ve been chasing for over a year, while Manchester United are left scrambling.
Mbeumo, meanwhile, is in a state of limbo. Clearly up for leaving Brentford and wanting to join Manchester United, he could be left having to stay for at least one more season.
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