Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo appears to arrive with the Newcastle United players
As the two teams arrived at Brentford's plush Gtech Community Stadium, it looked like we were being treated with a glimpse of the future.
Spookily, as Newcastle United marched into the stadium at lunchtime Bryan Mbeumo walked in with them! The Cameroon international walked behind Fabian Schar and was followed by Alexander Isak then Kieran Trippier having timed his arrival at precisely the same point as United.
If only that was a clear hint of what might happen in the January window. Unfortunately, it looks like Brentford will demand a fee of £60million for the right winger that would enhance Eddie Howe's team dramatically.
The 25-year-old weighed in with a lovely opening strike and an assist for the Bees but there is a reason why his price tag is so high. It will be a true test of sporting director Paul Mitchell to lure him to St James' Park this January.
Whether putting forward some swap deals plus cash would work remains to be seen but the nine-goal Brentford star, who has an impressive 54 strikes to his name in England, would be a perfect partner for Isak.
Afterwards, his boss Thomas Frank purred over the former Troyes man's contributions and said: "Bryan Mbeumo today was unplayable. The way he holds the ball up and links play, like today to Kevin Schade [for the fourth goal] was very impressive."
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Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo appears to arrive with the Newcastle United players
Brentford won't want to break up this team in truth and as their fans dream of Europe they may see qualification for the Europa League as a way to compensate holding on to their best players. Frank added: "The players are growing, a lot of the players here for a while have taken another step up. It is a very good team, I hope the fans are happy."
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