Newcastle ‘prepared to meet Brentford’s asking price in Bryan Mbeumo deal’
Newcastle United are prepared to meet Brentford’s asking price to secure a deal to sign Bryan Mbeumo in the summer transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 25-year-old is Eddie Howe’s top target for the right-wing position.
Brentford have set their asking price at £50million and are prepared to see their star man leave for that price which will allow them to reinvest and strengthen their starting XI.
This comes after Football Insider revealed on 14 February that the Bees are under pressure to cash in on Mbuemo, whose contract expires in 2026.
Jacob Murphy has spent large spells as the first-choice right-winger at St James’ Park, and has impressed by picking up four goals and eight assists in 22 Premier League games.
However, the position is still viewed as a priority for the Magpies ahead of the transfer window as they want to sign a top-class star to play alongside Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.
Mbeumo has been a long-term target for Newcastle, and they are now expected to make moves to finally land their man come the end of the season.
Newcastle ready to pay £50m to sign Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo
Despite links with a move in January, Brown told Football Insider that Newcastle were prepared to wait until the summer before making a move, given their financial concerns.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that those concerns have lingered but should be eased come the summer.
“I hear Newcastle are going to try for Bryan Mbeumo,” he told Football Insider.
“Brentford are going to ask for £50million, and it seems to me that would be a reasonable price.
“He scores goals, he’s very consistent in his performances, everybody knows what he can do on the pitch with his speed and ability to play across the front line.
“A lot will depend on Newcastle’s financial situation, but I expect they will know what they can and can’t spend and then they’ll adjust accordingly.
“But it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see them move for Mbeumo in the summer.
“He’s been a top target for Eddie Howe and we know they want to strengthen that right-wing position, so he looks like the ideal player to do that.“
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle transfer shortlist revealed
The right-wing position has become a clear priority for Howe and the Newcastle transfer team ahead of the summer window opening.
Mbeumo remains the top target for the position, but they have also been linked with moves for the likes of Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo as they continue to assess their options.
Football Insider revealed on 14 February that PSV star Johan Bakayoko is seen as one of the names at the top of their list thanks to his performances in the Netherlands.
The 21-year-old could be available in the summer as he will have just one year remaining on his contract, and is very highly-regarded among elite European sides.
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