Brentford will only sell Bryan Mbeumo if the “deal is right” – and they have not yet ruled out the forward staying, says director of football Phil Giles.
Cameroon international Mbeumo is the subject of serious interest from Manchester United, who have had two offers for the striker rejected – the second of which was worth up to £62.5m.
Mbeumo, 25, wants to join United and is understood to have told the west London club that, with Giles revealing they are in “constant dialogue” with the player and his representatives.
Speaking to BBC Sport Giles added: “There’s not so much [progress with Mbeumo].
“He had a fantastic season, we expected big interest in him, we have had big interest in him.
“He has his ideas about where he wants to take his career, of course he does – he is well within his rights to do that.
“It is not impossible he is still a Brentford player next season if we agree he is going to stay.
“It has to be the right deal for Brentford, any club will tell you that. If it’s not right deal why would we do it.
“He is certainly one of our best players, if not our best player, and we need our best players. There’s no harm in keeping your best players.”
Meanwhile, Giles has confirmed that captain Christian Norgaard is close to joining Arsenal.
BBC Sport revealed last week that the two Premier League clubs had agreed a fee, believed to be up to £15m inclusive of add-ons, for the Denmark midfielder.
“We have been in conversations with Arsenal for the last week to 10 days – as it stands it hasn’t been completed yet but it is heading in that direction,” said Giles.
“If that happens for him then fantastic, he’s earned it. He’s been a brilliant captain for us. Let’s see how that story ends but we are pretty open about that interest there.”
