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Arsenal are set to miss out on winger target Bryan Mbeumo, who wants to join Manchester United this summer.
The transfer window is open and the fanbase is expecting an aggressive summer. Moves must be made to bolster Mikel Arteta's frontline, with at least a couple of upgrades required to aptly equip the Gunners for a pivotal 2025–26 campaign.
A new striker is regarded as the priority, but additions must be made in wide areas, too. Raheem Sterling was the sole purchase on loan last summer, and the Englishman contributed little to the Gunners' season.
There have been links to an array of names, including Rodrygo and Jamie Gittens, while Mbeumo's name popped up in January and a few times since. Arsenal are believed to be one of the clubs interested in signing the Frenchman, but he'll soon be off the Gunners' radar.
Bryan Mbeumo wants Man Utd amid Arsenal interest
🚨🔴 Bryan Mbeumo has decided to give priority to Manchester United move this summer!
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 2, 2025
Despite interest from three clubs in Premier League, Mbeumo favours Man United move as @David_Ornstein reports.
Negotiations club to club due to follow soon with Brentford. pic.twitter.com/dRvwv14n7n
On Monday night, The Athletic's David Ornstein broke the news regarding Mbeumo's desire to join Man Utd this summer.
Brentford were always likely to sell their star man off the back of an excellent season with just a year left on his desire, and there was widespread Premier League interest. Whether Arsenal were in the mix up until the last is currently unknown, but the 25-year-old is a player they've long appreciated.
Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur were also linked, but Mbeumo wants United, who just endured the worst season in their modern history. It'll be mightily impressive if they're able to add the Frenchman to the ranks having already signed Matheus Cunha at the start of the window. Those two combined for 35 Premier League goals last season – just nine fewer than United scored altogether.
The Red Devils will now look to finalise an agreement with Brentford.
Assuming they can, Mbeumo will be off the market. In truth, Bukayo Saka's presence meant the 25-year-old was bound to play second fiddle in north London, and I can understand why a player of his calibre would prefer to move elsewhere. I'm glad he picked United over Newcastle or Spurs, especially if Thomas Frank ends up on the opposite side of the North London Derby divide.
Whether Arsenal can sign a player of the requisite quality to cover Saka remains to be seen, but the club must be tempted to make a splash down the left to upgrade their current options. Whom they target may depend on how much they spend to bring in their number nine.