Exclusive: Man Utd Legend Sammy McIlroy Calls for Club to do Everything in their Power to Sign Bryan Mbeumo

Manchester United great Sammy McIlroy hopes the club summon all their spending power to sign Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo.

The Red Devils have been locked in prolonged negotiations with the Bees to sign the Cameroon international all summer.

And after having had two bids for the 25-year-old turned down already, McIlroy fears they might now miss out one of the Premier League’s top talents.

“I know it’s a lot of money, but if you really, really want the player, then go and get him,” stressed McIlroy in an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.com. 

“The only thing I’m worried about it that this (the negotiations) have been going on for a little bit too long for me. It’s crazy really that the money is the issue."

“I didn’t think moving from Brentford to Manchester United, respectively, would be a problem."

“But going back years and years, it’s always been the case that Manchester United have to pay more for players."

“As soon as Manchester United show an interest and a deal, well the fee goes crazy and wages go crazy."

“That’s always happened, so you just have to live with that."

“But the way Manchester United are, and how mad last season was, we’ve got to get these exciting players into the club."

“I’m not saying break the bank and turn everything upside down so that other players might get upset, I’m not saying that."

“But they (the club) must be able to come some agreement with him where a deal can be sorted."

“He knows the Premier League, he’s done well at Brentford. And, at the end of the day, it’s a massive move going from Brentford to Manchester United."

“Surely both clubs can sort it out and get the deal done, surely?”

PROLONGED NEGOTIATIONS

United initially offered Brentford £45million for the player, plus £10million in add-ons.

But after the Bees rejected that offer, United upped their bid to £55million plus £7.5million in add-ons.

However, Brentford rejected that offer and subsequent improved offer of £62.5million, playing hard-ball knowing that United are desperate to sign the 22-cap international ahead of the new season which starts next month.

United have already signed Brazil forward Matheus Cunha from Wolves for £62.5million – and sources have suggested Brentford want at least that fee for their prized asset.

To make matters more complicated, former Brentford boss Thomas Frank – appointed as Spurs boss this summer – is also believed to be keen to partner up with Mbeumo now he has moved from West to North London.

Mbeumo bagged 20 goals in 38 Premier League appearances last season, the most he has scored in four seasons in the top-flight.

Young gun Amad Diallo and skipper Bruno Fernandes were United’s joint top goalscorers in the league last season with just eight goals each, although Fernandes bagged 19 goals across the season as the club’s standout player.

DISTINGUISHED CAREER

McIlroy, who enjoyed a distinguished 11-year career at Old Trafford alongside legends including Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best and Dennis Law, is delighted Portugal international Fernandes turned down a bumper pay day to go and play in the lucrative Saudi Pro League.

“If he had of left it would have been a massive blow,” added the former Northern Ireland international.

“He was the main man last year, there’s no doubt about it. He was involved in everything."

“A lot of people come to me and say if we didn’t have Bruno Fernandes last season, where would we have been, it would have been a lot worse."

“You look at the stats and what he did, they could be right."

“But, no, he turned down the mega bucks and thankfully he’s stayed and that’s all been put to bed.”