Thomas Frank’s Ambition to Reunite with Bryan Mbeumo Could Disrupt Manchester United’s Transfer Plans
Newly appointed Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank is reportedly plotting a bold move to reunite with one of his most trusted former players—Bryan Mbeumo. The Danish coach, who has recently left Brentford to take over at Spurs following the dismissal of Ange Postecoglou, could soon challenge Manchester United’s pursuit of the talented forward, adding a new twist to one of the summer’s developing transfer sagas.
Manchester United Lead the Race—For Now
Manchester United currently sit in pole position to sign the 25-year-old Cameroon international, who is understood to be open to a move to Old Trafford. The Red Devils have already made a concrete approach, reportedly tabling a £45 million bid with an additional £5 million in potential add-ons. However, Brentford have rejected this offer, making it clear that they value Mbeumo at a minimum of £60 million.
United remain keen, especially given their ongoing need for attacking reinforcements to bolster Erik ten Hag’s squad. Yet the evolving situation at Tottenham could complicate matters for the Manchester club.
Thomas Frank’s Spurs Appointment Changes the Landscape
Tottenham confirmed Frank’s appointment as their new head coach just days after parting ways with Postecoglou, and he’s wasting no time identifying his top transfer targets. One name that immediately surfaced is Bryan Mbeumo—a player with whom Frank has shared a long and successful relationship at Brentford.
The pair were integral to Brentford’s rise from the Championship into a solid Premier League force. Mbeumo has scored 70 goals and provided 51 assists in 242 appearances for the Bees, often stepping up in Ivan Toney’s absence. Frank has never hidden his admiration for Mbeumo and previously stated his desire to keep him at the club, though he acknowledged the economic realities facing teams like Brentford.
Frank: “I Want My Best Players to Stay Forever”
Speaking ahead of the summer transfer window, Frank addressed speculation around Mbeumo’s future in an interview with Sky Sports:
> “I’m the head coach. I want my best players to stay forever. I know that Bryan is very happy being here at Brentford—he’s thriving, doing well, and playing fantastic. What happens in the future? I don’t know.”
Frank also admitted that Brentford, like many clubs outside the elite financial bracket, must be realistic:
> “We are a selling club. But at the same time, we have to reinforce that there are only around 10 clubs in the world that aren’t selling clubs.”
Now, with Frank taking the reins at Spurs, it’s clear he would welcome the opportunity to bring Mbeumo with him to north London—a move that would strengthen his new squad and continue a successful working relationship.
Transfer Timing Adds Intrigue
The situation is further complicated by the timing of the transfer window. A brief pause exists between the early summer registration window, which closed on June 10, and the full opening of the main transfer window on June 16. This gap leaves a short window where negotiations can become particularly complex, and the potential for hijacked deals, last-minute bids, and behind-the-scenes maneuvering increases.
Frank’s quick agreement with Spurs—reportedly including highly regarded assistant coach Justin Cochrane—has allowed him to hit the ground running. Sources suggest that Tottenham are now preparing to enter formal talks with Brentford, potentially matching or even surpassing Manchester United’s bid to test the Bees’ resolve.
Why Mbeumo Fits Tottenham’s Needs
For Tottenham, the interest in Mbeumo makes sense. With Richarlison struggling for consistency and Heung-min Son entering the latter stages of his career, Spurs are in need of dynamic, versatile attackers. Mbeumo, capable of playing across the front line but most effective on the right, could offer pace, creativity, and goal-scoring ability—an ideal profile for Frank’s high-intensity, fluid system.
His familiarity with Frank’s tactical demands also means that he could adapt quickly at Spurs, a valuable trait in a summer when the club will be undergoing significant changes in both playing style and squad personnel.
What’s Next?
With Manchester United and now Tottenham vying for Mbeumo’s signature, the coming weeks are likely to see an escalation in negotiations. Brentford, for their part, are under no immediate pressure to sell, but they’ve also proven to be pragmatic operators in the market—open to letting go of players at the right price and reinvesting wisely.
Should Frank succeed in luring Mbeumo to Tottenham, it would represent a significant early statement of intent in his Spurs tenure—and a blow to Manchester United’s summer plans.
For now, the race remains open, but with Frank in charge and Mbeumo’s loyalty and history with his former boss, Tottenham may have more of a chance than initially expected.