The next instalment of our summer transfer series will focus on right wingers, after we have already covered goalkeepers and centre backs.
It has become a bugbear in the fan base that we have failed to sign a right winger since the takeover. Jacob Murphy has had the season of his life, but it is obvious that we need to strengthen in the position.
Below, we discuss five possible options for us to target.
It has emerged that Bryan Mbeumo is one of the key targets for Eddie Howe this summer. Eddie Howe prefers Premier League experience and the Brentford forward ended the season with 20 goals and seven assists. Every transfer carries some risk, but the Frenchman is emerging as the best and safest choice as our right winger.
Mbeumo has had an incredible season, scoring 20 goals, with five coming from the spot. During the season, he had a total of 12.3 expected goals (xG), which shows that he did run hot. It was the first time that he scored more than his xG since Brentford were promoted, therefore there is no historical evidence that he is an above average finisher.
The one concern with Mbeumo is that he is going to revert to the mean when it comes to his end product. He averaged 0.32 xG and 0.22 xAG (expected assisted goals), which shows the threat that he carries in the final third.
The Frenchman will be a perfect fit for Howe’s system, as he is hard working off the ball and can cut inside to offer a goal threat. It is easy to see why he is being linked, but the price tag could be inflated due to his overperformance during the 2024/25 campaign.
One of the emerging players on the right-wing scene in Europe is Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco. There have been links to him over the last year, with the connection through Paul Mitchell likely fuelling some of those. However, even now he is leaving, Akliouche should be on the radar.
Akliouche loves to press and is very much a hard worker in the forward line. He would immediately fit into Howe’s system. The Frenchman averages 1.79 tackles (84th percentile) and 0.7 interceptions (88th percentile) per ninety minutes. These characteristics will mean that he is on the radar of the recruitment team.
During the recent season, he contributed five goals and ten assists for Monaco. Unlike Mbeumo, Akliouche underperformed his xG, as he had 9.2 xG during the recent season. He scored five times. As he develops further, his numbers could jump significantly.
It is his creativity that allows him to stand out. Last season, he had 7.3 xAG and totalled 119 shot creating actions. As an average, that works out as 4.45 shot creating actions per ninety minutes.
At 23, he looks like he could develop into one of the best right wingers in Europe. Akliouche likes to drift into central areas and he’s very skilful on the ball. Physically, he may need to adapt to English football, but the upside is obvious.
Like Malick Thiaw who was discussed in our centre back piece, AC Milan’s lack of European football next season means that they are at risk of losing their best players. When Howe was appointed as our manager, many speculated that Pulisic would be the perfect right wing signing. At the age of 26, he is still a very good option for us and his experience will appeal to the recruitment team.
Despite Milan’s struggles, Pulisic had one of his best seasons in European football. The American contributed 11 goals and nine assists and his underlying numbers back up that level of production. He averaged 0.44 xG (73rd percentile) and 0.23 xAG (68th percentile) in Serie A.
The 26-year-old carries a dual threat in the final third, as he can dribble past his opponents and play threatening forward passes. He has always possessed an explosive turn of pace and he didn’t show his quality during his time with Chelsea.
That being said, his experience in England should help him transition back to the league and it will appeal to Howe. Lots of good players have struggled at Chelsea and managed to have successful returns to the Premier League.
Similar to Mbeumo, this would be a transfer that carries relatively little risk. Unlike the Brentford forward, Pulisic has experience at the highest level of European football.
Another player that has failed to show their quality in the Premier League, but has since flourished in Europe is Francisco Trincao. The attacker struggled at Wolves and moved back to Portugal. Since joining Sporting, he has become a consistent attacking force, scoring and creating goals. His ability has been known for a while, with a move to Barcelona early in his career.
In the recent Portuguese season, Trincao contributed nine goals and 14 assists. These are excellent numbers, but it worth stating that it is a weaker level of competition. His underlying numbers support his output. The attacker averaged 0.28 xG and 0.25 xAG.
Creatively is where Trincao stands out, as he averaged 4.94 shot creating actions (86th percentile). He has built a good relationship with Viktor Gyokeres and that has helped his game reach a new level. Trincao is very direct, looking to attack opposition defenders. He has good acceleration and is very skilful. Both help him beat opposition defenders. The attacker averages 2.15 successful take ons per ninety minutes, underlining his dribbling ability.
This would carry a little more risk as a deal, but it is easy to see the appeal of Trincao. He has long been considered a huge talent and he’s starting to find consistent output in Portugal. The 25-year-old will be hungry to show the same level of form in a bigger league.
A final more speculative option would be Yeremy Pino, who currently plays for Villarreal. Unlike the others, he hasn’t had a hugely productive season, but that can be explained away by a couple of things. Villarreal play 4-4-2, therefore Pino has been more of a winger and less of an inside forward. The majority of the team’s output came from the strikers.
Pino is versatile, capable of playing on the right or left and that adds to his value. He is a dangerous dribbler, averaging 1.95 progressive carries (82nd percentile) and 1.16 successful take ons (89th percentile) per ninety minutes. His low centre of gravity and quick acceleration can make him difficult and unpredictable to defend against.
In the recent season, he contributed four goals and seven assists. He averaged 0.18 xG and 0.25 xAG per ninety minutes. These aren’t as high as some on the list, but the formation Villarreal used was one reason why.
Statistically, Pino stands out for his reading of the game. The winger averaged 4.84 touches in the opposition penalty area and received 9.91 progressive passes, both rank him in the 99th percentile when compared to others in his position. He enjoys taking up dangerous positions between the lines. From there, he can either explode inside into central areas or go down the wing.
Despite his smaller stature, Pino is very good in the air and looks physically ready for the Premier League. There wouldn’t be huge concerns about his ability to transition. There is lots to work with and he could be available for a cheaper price than others on this list.
Stats taken from fbref (powered by Opta)