Arsenal are said to have added Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo in the summer transfer the shortlist as the Gunners look to strengthen in wide areas up front.
Mbeumo has consistently impressed in the Premier League since Brentford’s promotion in 2021, but the Cameroon international has hit a new level so far in 2024/25 with 13 goals in half. Only Mohamed Salah (18) and Erling Haaland (16) have scored more.
Interest from top-flight rivals is nothing new, with Liverpool and Newcastle United similarly linked with Mbeumo before the January window opens. But Bees boss Thomas Frank wished any suitors “good luck” in their attempts to offload the player and insisted “nothing will happen”.
Not now, but that’s never how Arsenal seem to be taking it. Sky Sport Germany has reported that the Gunners are studying a possible approach in the summer.
The 25-year-old striker is only under contract at Brentford until 2026, meaning he is already in the final 18 months of that deal and would likely have to turn down a bigger club to sign for a new one.
Brentford have typically not been attacked by their best players in recent seasons. David Raya, who joined arsenal on loan before a £27m permanent transfer, is perhaps the main exception. Ivan Toney left last summer, but the striker was coming off a less-than-stellar season and was coming to the end of his contract, but Brentford he still managed to collect a £40m fee from Al Ahli.
Arsenal have taken Raheem Sterling on loan this season without seeing any benefit. Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri have both suffered injuries in recent weeks, highlighting the need for additional troops in these advanced positions.
