The race for Bryan Mbeumo - Next 24 hours could now be key as price tag emerges?

Bryan Mbeumo could be the perfect signing for Newcastle United this summer and it's no surprise that we're interested.

With 19 goals and seven assists in 37 games this season, he scores, creates, he's rarely injured, works hard - only Bruno Guimaraes has covered more ground in the Premier League in 2024/25 - and can also operate out wide or up front.

The Telegraph revealed earlier this month that Eddie Howe would 'love' to sign the Cameroonian and Sky Sports have also confirmed our interest, but it won't be an easy race to win.

Another update has arrived on his future this week, and it feels like the next 24 hours may be key in deciding where the 25-year-old may end up this summer.

Could tonight be key to Mbeumo race?

This week, Man Utd have become the latest club linked with a move for Bryan Mbeumo. The Red Devils are seemingly pursuing a trio of Newcastle targets, with Liam Delap and Matheus Cunha also tipped to sign.

The Chronicle report that Man Utd are trying to get in early for the Brentford winger and Lee Ryder reports that a £54m price tag is likely to be enough now Mbeumo has entered the final year of his current deal.

Last week, Mark Douglas at the i reported that Champions League football is set to be prioritised by several Newcastle targets and Mbeumo is very much in that bracket, feeling he's earned the right to play in Europe's top competition.

With that in mind, the next 24 hours may have a big say in where he ends up. If Man Utd beat Spurs in tonight's Europa League final, they'll be able to offer him Champions League football, as could we should we overcome Everton on Sunday.

Should Man Utd lose tonight and miss out, we could have a huge advantage in the race for Mbeumo, adding to the importance of a win this weekend to guarantee a top-five finish.

Why Liverpool and Arsenal seem unlikely destinations

Two other clubs who've been regularly linked to Mbeumo include Arsenal and Liverpool.

Both are top clubs that would no doubt be tempting for the winger, but I struggle to see where he fits in those starting 11s.

At Liverpool he'd have Mo Salah standing in his way, with the Egyptian now staying at Anfield after signing a new deal, while similar issues would surely arise at Arsenal, who have out and out right winger Bukayo Saka operating in Mbeumo's position.

Other may join the race and Man Utd's spending power on wages and transfer fees may have a big say - as it has done with Matheus Cunha - but should they lose tonight, we might just have the edge in the race for Mbeumo with a win on Sunday.