Liverpool have been told they have a perfect replacement for Mohamed Salah, who is already playing in the Premier League.
The Pitch Prospect presenter Tony Cascarino claims that Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo would be an ideal signing to follow in the Egyptian king’s footsteps should he leave Anfield.
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Although Liverpool managed to keep hold of Salah this summer amid ongoing rumours that he might move to Saudi Arabia, those rumours are unlikely to go away anytime soon.
Salah is one of three key Reds players, along with Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, entering the final year of their contracts and there is no news about their immediate future.
Although The Pitch Prospect has learned that Liverpool are set to enter into talks with Salah over a possible contract extension, his electrifying start to the season is likely to only increase the Saudis’ desire to sign him.
It is likely that the Merseyside club’s transfer gurus are already looking for a potential replacement for the Anfield legend and Cascariuno says Mbeumo would be a perfect fit.
Speaking to Brentford fan and co-presenter Natalie Sawyer ahead of the Bees’ Premier League match against Man City, the former Chelsea striker (and lifelong Liverpool fan) said: “I remember telling you that if Mo Salah had left, Mbeumo would have been the one I would have brought in.”
“He has so much potential, he scores goals, he has stamina.
“He’s just annoying every time he plays.”
While Ivan Toney headlined for Brentford in their four seasons back in the Premier League, Mbeumo delivered consistent performances behind the scenes – and took on the responsibility during Toney’s absence due to his betting ban.
The 25-year-old international from Cameroon has scored 25 goals and provided 21 assists in 101 top-flight appearances for Brentford.
In addition, he has been involved in eight goals in his last ten Premier League appearances.
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Mbeumo joined the Bees from French club Troyes in 2019 for a whopping transfer fee of £5.8 million.
It was a record transfer for Brentford at the time and the club can be confident that they will receive a hefty transfer fee if one of the Premier League’s big names signs up.
The winger is currently valued at around £35 million, but Brentford are known to be tough negotiators – as Toney’s suitors discovered this summer before he eventually moved to Saudi club Al-Ahli for £40 million.
Brentford have reportedly asked for a price of £50 million for Mbeumo in the current summer transfer window.
However, the end of this season marks the final year of his current contract, so Brentford are likely to accept a lower offer next summer as the player is said to be in no hurry to sign a contract extension.
Mbeumo appears to be keeping his options open after speaking openly about his future in an interview with French magazine L’Equipe earlier this year.
In May he said: “I spent five seasons at Brentford, at a club that knew how to help me grow and take a step forward.”
“I want to play in the biggest competitions, in the best clubs. It’s still tempting to see that some big teams are interested in me. We’ll see.”
He has also previously spoken of his desire to compete at the highest level in European football and even win the Champions League trophy.
“I want to win the Champions League,” he told the Evening Standard.
“Everything is possible.”
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