Manchester United are leading the race for the Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur target.
Mbeumo was one of Newcastle’s top transfer targets heading into the summer but have since cooled their interest due to the player’s preference to join Manchester United and the figures involved.
It’s understood Brentford want £60million, which would make Mbeumo Newcastle’s second-most-expensive ever signing behind Alexander Isak, while the winger himself is rumoured to want £250,000-a-week salary. That is significantly more than the Magpies’ current top earner.
Newcastle United tipped to hijack Manchester United’s Bryan Mbeumo deal
Man United are currently locked in negotiations with the Bees and are confident of finalising a deal. But former midfielder and Gateshead-born Don Hutchinson doesn’t believe the saga is finished, revealing he’d be “stunned” if Newcastle didn’t make a late move.
“I really like Bryan Mbeumo and I thought we had a real good chance of getting him until I saw the Manchester United link this week,” Hutchinson said. “I'd be stunned if Newcastle didn't make a late move. Because what Newcastle needs.
“They need competition on the right-hand side for Jacob Murphy. And with Mbeumo. He's very versatile. He can play on the right, and he can play as a nine. That would be the player I'd go for.”
But Tottenham Hotspur could hijack the move
While it’s unlikely Newcastle will move for Mbeumo - unless given strong encouragement from the player’s side - there are suggestions Tottenham Hotspur could become serious contenders once Thomas Frank is appointed as manager.
Spurs sacked Ange Postecoglou last week, despite the Aussie ending their 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League, and are close to appointing Frank as his successor. Frank has been Brentford boss for seven years, earning promotion from the Championship before establishing the West London club in Premier League.
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It was in 2019 when Frank signed Mbeumo from Troyes for just under £6million. Mbeumo has made 242 appearances and scored 70 goals, 20 of which came last season - a total bettered only by Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak and Erling Haaland. According to the Daily Mirror, Frank is keen on taking Mbeumo to Spurs with him.
Newcastle United focusing on other targets
While Man United and Spurs potentially battle it out for Mbeumo, Newcastle have already turned to other targets. Over the weekend, enquiries for launched for Brighton & Hove Albion’s Joao Pedro and Nottingham Forest’s Anthony Elanga.
Both are long-term targets for Eddie Howe. United were close to signing Pedro from Watford in 2022 before signing Isak instead. Last summer, a £35m bid was submitted for Elanga, though a deal was never close.
Howe is hoping to bolster his attacking options by finding to support Isak up top and take the burden off Jacob Murphy on the right wing. Murphy has just enjoyed an outstanding campaign with nine goals and 14 assists but Miguel Almiron’s exit in January left him as the squad’s only recognised right forward.
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