Liverpool and Newcastle United are reportedly set to battle for the signature of Brentford attacker Bryan Mbeumo.
The 25-year-old has spent the last five-and-a-half years with the Bees, scoring 58 goals and registering 43 assists in 213 appearances across all competitions.
Mbeumo recorded nine goals and six assists in 25 Premier League matches last season and has since been a standout performer for Thomas Frank's side this term.
Indeed, only Manchester City's Erling Haaland has scored more Premier League goals than Mbeumo (eight) across the opening 11 games this season, and the versatile attacker has subsequently been tipped by his own manager to join a "bigger club" in the near future.
"Mbeumo was our biggest miss for four months last year, even with [Ivan] Toney out," Frank told reporters in September. "He was our key player and has added another layer this season.
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Will Mbeumo leave Brentford in 2025?
"That's incredible and he's creating chances. He's a top player. I'm convinced he will play for a bigger club. I'd buy him if I was at a bigger club.
"We convinced him to stay and he's very happy. All our players might need to leave us one day, but a lot of them are happy because we have a top environment, with good people. We push each other."
Mbeumo, who is due to see his current contract at Brentford expire in June 2026, has been linked with a number of top Premier League clubs including leaders Liverpool, who are understood to have identified the Cameroon international as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah.
Speculation surrounding the future of Liverpool's No.11 has been rife for some time, with the Saudi Pro League-linked forward's contract at Anfield due to expire next summer.
Newcastle have also been credited with an interest in Mbeumo amidst uncertainty over the long-term futures of attacking duo Callum Wilson and Miguel Almiron.
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Liverpool, Newcastle to go head-to-head for Mbeumo?
According to The Sun, Liverpool and Newcastle are set to battle it out in a race for Mbeumo, who is valued by Brentford at £50m.
The report adds that Arne Slot's side have been scouting the Bees attacker all season and are now weighing up a summer move for the player.
Newcastle, meanwhile, are believed to have identified Mbeumo as their number one transfer target and they are even willing to offer Wilson as a potential makeweight in a deal should Brentford be prepared to cash in on their star man.
Arsenal, Man City and Aston Villa are three more clubs who have been credited with an interest in Mbeumo, but it appears that both Liverpool and Newcastle are currently at the front of the queue for his signature.
Oliver Thomas
