Bryan Mbeumo 'made drastic transfer U-turn' after Man Utd failed to meet criteria

Manchester United are in pole position to sign Bryan Mbeumo this summer after the Brentford forward reportedly . Arsenal, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are said to be among the clubs in the race for Mbeumo's signature, but the Red Devils are now at the front of the queue.

All three of United's Premier League rivals can attract their targets with the prospect of Champions League football next season. Arsenal and Newcastle qualified via their league position, finishing second and fifth, respectively. Meanwhile, Spurs ended the campaign in 17th but beat Ruben Amorim's side 1-0 in the Europa League final, earning entry through the back door.

United finished in 15th, setting a record-low finish in a second successive season, and their failure to lift silverware means there will be no European football on offer next term.

However, the M16 giants have made a statement start to a critical summer transfer window, displaying their ambition to stop the rot.

On Sunday, United marked the first day of the window by announcing the signing of Wolves forward Matheus Cunha in a £62.5million deal.

A day later, it emerged that Mbeumo wanted to follow the Brazilian to Old Trafford, leaving his other admirers disappointed.

Yet, just a week prior, reports suggested that United were set to miss out due to the 25-year-old's European preference.

Chronicle Live that Mbeumo wanted to join a Champions League club after years of missing out on continental football at Brentford.

It was said to have handed Newcastle an advantage in the battle to lure the Cameroon international to St. James' Park.

So Mbeumo's decision to make a U-turn and pledge his allegiance to Amorim's mammoth rebuild project would have sparked serious disappointment on Tyneside.

United still need to agree a transfer fee with Brentford, who won't be willing to offload their prize asset on the cheap.

However, there will be optimism to add another of the Premier League's top forwards to Amorim's ranks before the start of pre-season.

United reportedly had the budget to make two attacking signings before having to rely on player sales to bolster their squad further.

Liam Delap had been identified as the priority striker target before the Ipswich Town star decided to join Chelsea rather than return to Manchester.

But Mbeumo is a worthy alternative that has offered optimism that Amorim's attack will prove significantly more fruitful next term.