Bryan Mbeumo has joined Manchester United from Brentford for an initial £65million, bringing an end to one of the summer’s most drawn-out transfer sagas.

The 25-year-old has penned a five-year contract at Old Trafford, with the option for a further year. He becomes Ruben Amorim’s third signing of the window, following the arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon.

United’s pursuit of the Cameroon winger began in early June, and it took three separate bids before an agreement was finally reached. Add-ons could eventually push the total fee to £71million.

“As soon as I knew there was a chance to join Manchester United, I had to take the opportunity to sign for the club of my dreams — the team whose shirt I wore growing up,” said Mbeumo.
“My mentality is to always be better than I was yesterday. I know that I have the spirit and character to reach another level here, learning from Ruben Amorim and playing alongside world-class players.”

“Everybody told me about the environment that is being created here and how exciting the plans are for the future. This is a massive club, with an incredible stadium and amazing fans. We’re all determined to challenge for the biggest trophies.”

United’s initial offer of £55million was rejected in June, and a second bid of £62.5million also fell short. Their third offer, lodged last week, was finally accepted by Brentford, who had been holding out for a higher figure — especially given rival interest from Tottenham, Newcastle, Arsenal, and Chelsea.

Despite serious competition, United managed to get the deal over the line, a significant boost for a club that finished 15th in the Premier League last season and will not play in European competition in 2025–26.

“Bryan's goals and assists record in the Premier League is exceptional,” said Jason Wilcox, United’s director of football.
“His remarkable consistency has put him among the most productive players in England for the last three seasons. Bryan’s belief in our project and determination to join the club confirmed he was the perfect fit for Manchester United and the culture we are developing.”

The winger will wear the No.19 shirt and is expected to travel with United’s squad to the United States for pre-season later this week.

Last season was Mbeumo’s best yet. He recorded a career-high 20 goals and 7 assists in the Premier League, helping Brentford avoid the drop while firmly establishing himself as one of the league’s most dangerous wide forwards.

Since arriving from Troyes in 2019, Mbeumo has made 242 appearances for Brentford, scoring 70 goals and contributing 51 assists. This move to Old Trafford represents the highest-profile step yet in his career — and sets a new transfer record for the Bees, surpassing the £40million they received for Ivan Toney last summer.

“Bryan came to us as a teenager, and it has been a pleasure for all of us here to watch him develop as a player and a person,” said Phil Giles, Brentford’s director of football.
“Our fans have loved him, and he has been a part of some of our greatest days. There is always a right time for a player to move on, and for Bryan, that time is now.”

On paper, Mbeumo brings elite end product. But it’s his all-round impact that’s arguably more impressive.

In 2024–25, he ranked among the league’s best in virtually every major attacking metric — including chances created, touches in the opposition box, and successful attacking transitions. His 23.53% shot conversion rate trailed only Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak.

Off the ball, he was just as valuable. No player won possession more often in the final third than Mbeumo, with 32 recoveries in that zone — a key asset in Amorim’s pressing game.

Perhaps most notably, he led the league in carries leading directly to goals. Nine of his runs — each over five metres — ended in either a goal or assist, highlighting his threat on the break and ability to destabilise defensive lines.

Negotiations between Manchester United and Brentford were described as “fraught” by insiders. United believed Brentford shifted the goalposts on valuation multiple times and had initially hoped to get the deal done for closer to £60million.

With Tottenham — managed by former Brentford boss Thomas Frank — expressing strong interest, and Newcastle also hovering, the London club were keen to maximise their return.

At one point, Brentford even suggested Mbeumo lower his personal demands to help get a deal over the line. In the end, that wasn’t necessary. United’s final package met expectations and gave the player his preferred destination.

For United, landing one of Amorim’s top two transfer targets is a win. With Marcus Rashford’s imminent move to Barcelona, and four other senior players currently exiled, this signing provides much-needed depth and clarity in attack.

With the transfer window open until 1 September, United still have more business to complete — both incoming and outgoing. But delivering a marquee forward in his prime, ahead of Champions League-qualified rivals, is a statement in itself.