Manchester United may end up striking gold with Alejandro Garnacho’s potential replacement if James Maddison’s comments are anything to go by.
The Red Devils are lining up a blockbuster move for Bryan Mbeumo in the event Garnacho leaves Old Trafford month. Brentford’s star man could be available for as little as £40million – roughly the sum United expect to make if they sell their Argentina international, who is heavily linked with a move to Napoli.
Mbeumo, 25, has been on fire this season, notching 13 goals in 21 Premier League games, with just Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, Alexander Isak and Cole Palmer scoring more. Arguably his finest strike – a blistering volley against Tottenham in September – left Maddison in disbelief, with the England midfielder waxing lyrical about his opponent after the game.
“There was shell-shock around the stadium,” Maddison said of Mbeumo’s volley scored after just 22 seconds. “We’re all looking at each other, ‘What do we do now’ kind of thing, because you don’t plan for that in a game-plan.”
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has also been lavishing Mbeumo with praise, and labelled him “a leader in the making” in recent weeks. “He drives training with his attitude and work ethic and determination to want to get better and win,” the Dane added to The Athletic, although he’s repeatedly ruled out a January exit for his player.
Elsewhere, talkSPORT pundit Jason Cundy dubbed Mbeumo a mini version of Salah, likening his playing style and ruthlessness in the box to the Egyptian. “Mbeumo, I think, when you look at what might happen at Liverpool with Salah… I’m looking at Mbeumo and what he’s capable of,” the said. “He’s a little mini Salah, off that right hand side, his left foot.”
United’s move for Mbeumo will likely hinge on whether they manage to offload one, or both, of Garnacho and Marcus Rashford. The pair have been on the outs with manager Ruben Amorim ever since being left at home for the Manchester derby in December, and are now poised for January exits.
Napoli, who signed Scott McTominay from United in the summer, are looking for a new winger after reportedly agreeing to sell star man Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to PSG. Garnacho, who until recently was considered indispensable by United, has emerged as one of the Serie A club’s primary targets, and is understood to be open to the move.
It’s also understood that United are more than willing to let the 20-year-old leave due to mounting concerns about the club’s compliance with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). This is because, as an academy graduate, Garnacho can be sold for ‘pure profit‘.
According to reports, McTominay, who has made a blistering start to life at Napoli, is working hard to lure his former team-mate to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and indirectly sent the Argentinian a message a few weeks ago. “I love this place,” he told BBC Sport in December.
“I love the fans, I love my team-mates. It has been a pleasure to be with Billy [Gilmour] every day, rather than just seeing him at Scotland, and we have helped each other a lot.”
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Manchester United content from Mirror Football. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £192 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Get the FREE Mirror Football newsletter with the day’s key headlines and transfer news straight into your inbox
