Manchester United have moved a step closer to signing Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo as rivals Tottenham have made a significant transfer decision.
Ruben Amorim has been eager to land Mbeumo since the transfer window opened and reportedly had a bid rejected by the Bees earlier this month.
Mbeumo was Brentford’s stand out performer last season, netting 20 goals in 38 Premier League appearances.
The 25-year-old is now the subject of interest from United and Spurs after former boss Thomas Frank switched West London for North London.
Frank has been keen to reunite with Mbeumo, but the Dane has now handed United a boost in their pursuit of the forward.
Spurs could trigger buy-out clause to land Palace star
The Mirror has reported that Spurs are interested in signing Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze, which could signal an end to their ambitions to land Mbeumo.
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They state that Eze has a £68million buy-out clause which Spurs could activate to land the England international.
This could be excellent news for Amorim and his attempts to sign Mbeumo, and a new striker is desperately what the Red Devils require.
Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund have both failed to impress at Old Trafford, and with Viktor Gyokeres also heavily linked with United, one of them could be on their way out of the club this summer.
Gyokeres’ potency and presence up-front or Mbeumo’s pace and movement would certainly trouble all Premier League defences.
Amorim has already landed Wolves’ Matheus Cunha to add greater creativity and goal threat to his side.
Eze could be Spurs’ statement signing of summer
Having spent £65m to sign Dominic Solanke last summer, Frank may be prioritising creativity in his midfield rather than sign another striker (BBC Sport).
Solanke had injury problems last season, but still managed nine goals in his debut campaign at the club, in a team that came 17th in the league.
Eze’s close control and ability to glide around the pitch would add a different dynamic to the Spurs attack compared to the likes of James Maddison whose preference is to stay in central areas.
The 26-year-old still has plenty of potential and if Frank could get the best out of Eze in this Spurs team, it could become one of the signings of the summer.
If Eze signs Frank may still be in the market for a winger with Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo linked.
Mbeumo is still on Spurs’ radar and he could play out wide for them, but the Cameroon international could become United’s front man if they fail to land Gyokeres, with Arsenal very much interested in his services.