This month, Newcastle United have been linked with summer moves for Crystal Palace’s Michael Olise and Wolves’ Pedro Neto; two hugely talented players who would add so much quality, spark and excitement to our side.
However, it looks like Olise could be tough to sign based on the number of European giants battling for his signature, while Neto feels like a hugely expensive risk. There’s no doubting his ability when fit, but the reported £60m price tag is a lot to pay for someone who missed huge chunks of 2023/24 with two serious hamstring injuries.
Don’t get me wrong, I’d be delighted if either signed, but I present to you another option – Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo.
Still only 24, the French-born Cameroon international is a good age with plenty of room for growth under a manager like Eddie Howe, who has already helped take Anthony Gordon’s game to new heights down the other flank.
Mbeumo would arrive with Premier League experience. He’s got better and better since the Bees’ promotion from the Championship and has delivered an impressive 15 goal involvements (nine goals, six assists) in just 22 league starts this season.
Then there’s his versatility. He’s predominantly a right-winger, but he can play on the left and really impressed in a central role earlier in the campaign, where he filled in for Ivan Toney while the former Newcastle striker was suspended for betting. He makes great runs in behind, is direct, quick, strong, can take set pieces, use both feet and has a real eye for goal.
Before anyone mentions it, I’m aware he did miss a chunk of this season through injury (one of the reasons I am unsure we’ll pursue Neto), but previous to 2023/24 he’s missed just four league games over the previous four seasons through injury.
I’d imagine he’d also come £15-20m cheaper than Olise and Neto, which would also help in the world of FFP and PSR. This new-look Newcastle have been brilliant at signing very talented players who’ve gone under the radar slightly after one-off injuries or a tough patch in their career lowered their stock slightly (Isak, Livramento, Gordon and Barnes come to mind) and Mbeumo fits that category quite nicely.
I’d be surprised if he wasn’t a name on Newcastle list of potential targets as we look to sign an upgrade on Miguel Almiron this summer.
Where do you get your info .as a bees supporter I can assure you he can’t play on the left and can only play in the middle alongside a centre forward and plays on the right most of the time when he does this .also on a decent length contract at Brentford who dont want to sell so 50 to 60 million .
Maybee(Quote)
Would have a look at Kobu at Real Sociedad for the rw post younger and can play across the front line to
Øyvind(Quote)
According to the n*nce who writes for the Telegraph, Jarod Bowen is interested in signing for us. He’d be perfect, but obviously very expensive.
Kevin McLaughlin(Quote)