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Ex-Liverpool striker Emile Heskey has claimed that the Reds should have roped in Manchester United target Bryan Mbeumo as Mohamed Salah's successor.
During a recent chat with betting website Prime Casino, Heskey asserted Mbeumo could have been a fine signing for his former club. He said (h/t Metro):
"It's hard to ever say Liverpool make mistakes in the market, because their strategy is usually just so solid. I would have loved to have seen Bryan Mbeumo at Anfield though. He's got loads going for him. He was someone that is tried and tested in the Premier League for a few years as well."
Heaping praise on the Cameroon and Brentford star, Heskey continued:
"His work rate's astounding. He knows where the goal is. He's very, very technical and understands the way that Liverpool would want to play. So it was interesting to see that they never really went in for him."
Mbeumo, who is reportedly valued at £60 million by Brentford, relished a brilliant season in the 2024-25 campaign. The 25-year-old registered 20 goals and eight assists in 38 Premier League games last term.
Salah, on the other hand, found the back of the net a whopping 34 times and laid out 23 assists in 54 overall outings for the Reds last campaign.
Ex-Liverpool star Emile Heskey opines on Manchester United's potential summer business
Asked how Manchester United attracted Bryan Mbeumo despite ending in 15th spot in the Premier League last term, Emile Heskey responded:
"The thing is with Manchester United is that they still have the pull to attract players. Normally, Mbeumo would be wanting Champions League football, knowing what the club are going to do. Even now, without Europe, in a transitional phase, Manchester United can still get hold of players like him and Matheus Cunha."
Heskey, who played for Liverpool from 2000 to 2004, concluded:
"It's a bit like when I chose Liverpool, who weren't yet at their best. I always supported them, but I always wanted to be in on the ground floor on their comeback. I understood the assignment, and I saw where things were going if they went well. Mbeumo probably feels the same. He can be part of something that can be great again."
Manchester United allegedly had a potential £55 million bid for Mbeumo rejected earlier this month with the Red Devils currently continuing talks.
Meanwhile, Ruben Amorim's team activated Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Matheus Cunha's £62.5 million release clause last month.
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Debkalpa Banerjee
Debkalpa is a journalist who covers European football at Sportskeeda. He is a PGD holder from the Asian College of Journalism, has interviewed Emile Heskey and Jason McAteer, ideated a six-part IE feature series titled 'India's New Hopes', and tried to shine a light on mental health in football involving a Bengaluru FC initiative. He has strong journalism skills along with a good understanding of SEO. In his spare time, he stays up all night following Liverpool FC.
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Edited by Debkalpa Banerjee