It has been a month since Manchester United's first offer was rejected. The Red Devils then made a second offer, but still failed to meet Brentford's valuation for the striker. Currently, the 25-year-old Cameroon international Mbemo is still in West London.
Manchester United is still confident in signing Mbemo, but no substantial progress has been achieved so far. The two clubs are still in talks, with Brentford insisting on a higher offer, while Manchester United is looking for a compromise.
Manchester United will resume pre-season training on Monday and fly to the United States for three tour games in a few weeks. Manchester United hopes to take Mbemo to the United States, but this requires further negotiation between the two sides to reach an agreement. Manchester United made a new offer of more than £60 million after the £55 million offer made in early June, but Brentford still rejected the offer.
Brentford has a firm stand and will not let anyone go unless Manchester United are willing to pay enough transfer fees. As negotiations extend, Manchester United may gradually gain the upper hand because the players themselves tend to join Old Trafford.
Brentford sports director Phil Giles said this week that Mbemo is still likely to stay at Brentford: "As far as I know, he is willing to stay in Brentford next season if necessary. Our position is that he performed very well last season and we expected something interesting to him. If we receive the right offer, the deal can be reached; if not, he will stay."
When asked about the discussion about Mbemo staying, Giles responded: "We have talked to him and his representatives. Whether he will leave this summer is not a conclusion. There are many teams interested in him because he performed well last season, which is inevitable. If we receive the right offer, the deal can be reached, but we can only say that."