Manchester United’s Mbeumo push stalls after Brentford raise price towards £70m

Manchester United’s push to buy Bryan Mbeumo has stalled after Brentford raised their valuation to closer to £70m, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe intent on not being pushed into paying more than his club’s £65m valuation of the forward.

Mbeumo has told Brentford he wants to join United, and at the end of June Ratcliffe and Jason Wilcox, his director of football, believed a £65m package would land the 25-year-old. Brentford also privately indicated a medical was expected imminently.

The change of stance has been met with resistance by Ratcliffe and Wilcox, who do not wish to be held to ransom and are determined to be patient. Brentford view their position as firm because although Mbeumo’s contract expires next summer the club hold a one-year option.

If Ratcliffe, who runs football operations at United, and Wilcox decide to raise their offer they may first want money from the sale or loan of one of Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Tyrell Malacia. United claim all have asked to leave, so the club will listen to offers.

Ruben Amorin is also targeting a centre-forward. The head coach has signed only Matheus Cunha this summer, for his £62.5m release clause at Wolves.

In just over four weeks Arsenal visit to Old Trafford for United’s Premier League opener. United’s pre-season begins with Saturday’s trip to Stockholm’s Strawberry Arena to play Leeds before Amorim’s squad fly to Chicago for a tour of the US, where they play West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton.

Brentford have failed in an attempt to trigger Omari Hutchinson’s £35m release clause from relegated Ipswich, although that is not expected to end their pursuit of the forward.

View image in fullscreen The Ipswich forward Omari Hutchinson with the trophy he won with England’s under-21s this summer. Photograph: Eddie Keogh/The FA/Getty Images

Hutchinson would have been free to depart Portman Road if the terms of his clause had been met by 5pm on Tuesday. A series of late approaches from Brentford is understood to have been firmed up with an offer shortly before the deadline, but that failed to meet the requirements.

The bid was spread in instalments, with Ipswich instead requiring cash up front. The expiry of the clause gives Ipswich greater control of the 21-year-old’s destiny but their resolve could still be tested if Brentford return offering a more palatable payment structure. Brentford are undergoing a summer revamp under Keith Andrews and signing Hutchinson shone for England in their victorious Uefa Under-21 Championship campaign.

Bournemouth on Wednesday completed the £25m signing of the goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic from Chelsea on a five-year deal. The Serbia international said: “I came to Bournemouth because I want to grow and I want to play at the best level. Together with this club, with these facilities, I think we can achieve it.”

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