Eddie Howe warned the Newcastle United owners about players like Bryan Mbeumo.
It looks like the 25-year-old’s future could be resolved in the very near future, with Bryan Mbeumo keen to join Manchester United.
The Red Devils are on course to win the race for the Brentford attacker, but only if they can agree a fee. Man United have not contacted Brentford about Mbeumo yet, much to the frustration of the Bees.
But they have put themselves in pole position to strike a deal, while Newcastle United get set to cross another name off their list of targets.
Newcastle have missed out on Liam Delap and Matheus Cunha already, and now their interest in Mbeumo looks poised to suffer the same fate.
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
What Eddie Howe told Newcastle United officials to do in the transfer market
That is three early transfer blows for Newcastle United, despite Eddie Howe’s desire to move fast.
The Newcastle United manager spoke about this after his side qualified for the Champions League, making it clear to PIF that their top targets will not be available for long.
“Speed is key for us, which I’ve reiterated many times internally,” he said.
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“Speed is key because we have to be dynamic, we have to be ready to conclude things very quickly, because good players don’t hang around for long.
“That’s always been my thought and my message on recruitment, because you can have a period when you think you have time, but then you look around quickly and you see that time has elapsed and you missed opportunities you won’t get again.
“That is what we will be trying, but the reality is it is not always in your hands. We will be doing our best to do things early.”
Time running out for Paul Mitchell at Newcastle United
As another target in Mbeumo gets set to pass the Magpies by, pressure mounts on outgoing sporting director Paul Mitchell.
It has been announced that Mitchell is leaving Newcastle United at the end of June, and the 43-year-old is keen to provide a parting gift.
It has been reported that Mitchell wants to make one major signing before his departure, having failed to really flex his muscles in the transfer market during his time on Tyneside.
Two transfer windows passed without Mitchell making any major signings, and he will not be around for the majority of his third.
There is a desire for Mitchell to at least do one deal in the coming weeks, but it remains to be seen who he could sign. Mbeumo had felt like the most probable candidate, but his preference is to head to Old Trafford.
Newcastle are interested in Marc Guehi, so he is perhaps an option that the Magpies could pursue in the coming weeks.
However, Mitchell’s Guehi pursuit angered Crystal Palace last summer, so it remains to be seen if they will entertain a fresh approach from him.