An exclusive has arrived this morning from The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards, who has issued an update on Newcastle’s pursuit of Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo.
The Cameroonian has been linked with a move to Tyneside over the past 12 months and it’s been widely reported that Toon scouts have been tracking the 25-year-old.
Our pursuit of a quality right-winger to compete with Jacob Murphy have been well-documented, and those plans look set to finally ramp up this summer following Miguel Almiron’s sale in January.
However, as much as the club like Mbeumo, it seems a move for the Bees talisman comes with a few complications.
The Telegraph have confirmed today that Bryan Mbeumo has been identified as an ‘ideal target’ for Eddie Howe’s Newcastle this summer.
The Toon boss is a long-term admirer of the winger and also appreciates his versatility, being able to operate down the right or as a centre-forward; as he showed in Ivan Toney’s absence last season.
However, Luke Edwards reports that his asking price – thought to be north of £60m – is causing problems for Newcastle, who are wary that such an expensive deal could impact our ability to strengthen in other priority positions this summer.
Howe would ‘love’ to sign the 18-goal forward – Mo Salah is the only wide man to score more this season in the Premier League – and all members of Newcastle’s recruitment team rate Mbeumo highly.
But the club are aware that interest from Premier League rivals could drive up the price beyond £60m, questioning how we could afford to sign a goalkeeper, centre-back and £30m striker Liam Delap if a club-record fee is required to land Mbeumo.
The Telegraph do not suggest that we feel £60m is an unfair fee for Mbeumo, but the club surely realise that this is the sort of figure we must pay if we plan to sign a Premier League proven winger.
He’s 25, can play in multiple positions in attack, he’s delivered 39 goal involvements in his last 68 league outings and is the fifth top scorer in the English top flight this season.
Mbeumo does have only two years left on his deal, which could push Brentford to consider a sale this summer, but £60m feels about right for a versatile goalscorer with his best years still ahead of him.
Hopefully Newcastle can find a way to make this work, with quality additions needed if we’re to compete on all four fronts next season.