According to Team News and Ticks, Arsenal were keen to land Brentford striker Bryan Mbeumo this summer in order to boost their wide attacking options. However, the deal never materialised, and they decided to sign Raheem Sterling on loan from Chelsea.
The 25-year-old African honcho was high on the list of potential transfer targets, but it was not easy to sign him. The Bees lost Ivan Toney to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, and they weren’t ready to miss another key attacker.
Mbeumo has stepped up in Toney’s absence, scoring three goals in three Premier League games this season. Several English elites like Manchester City, Liverpool, Arsenal, and Aston Villa were interested in the versatile player.
🚨 Arsenal’s data team were ‘really, really high’ on Bryan Mbuemo & it was a deal the club were strongly considering, however, a move was always unlikely this summer. [@Teamnewsandtix Patreon] pic.twitter.com/xBhCCcw2D1
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) September 5, 2024
Brentford are still demanding in excess of £40 million for him. Nottingham Forest tried to test their resolve by submitting a £25m proposal, but it was straightaway rejected.
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With little options in hand, the Gooners decided to give up on this move for now. They set their sights on Blues ace Sterling, who offers a similar profile to the Cameroonian star, snapping him up on a season-long loan deal in the latest summer transfer window.
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Mbeumo has been a vital player for the Bees since moving to the GTech Community Stadium in 2019 from French side Troyes.
He was a part of the squad that was promoted to the PL back in 2021. He was capped by the French national team at youth level but decided to represent Cameroon in 2022.
At club level, he has scored 53 goals and 42 assists in 203 appearances for Brentford. He did well last season by registering 15 goal contributions in the PL. He was nominated for Premier League Player of the Month in August and October 2023.
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With three goals in the 2023-24 campaign, the Cameroonian star was one of the best players in the league last month. He along with Yoane Wissa made sure the team’s attack doesn’t fall apart in Toney’s absence.
In a recent interview with Sky Sports, pundit Stephan Warnock shared an interesting insight stating that Mbeumo was more important to Brentford than Toney.
“If you look at the record with/without Ivan Toney, with/without Mbuemo…the records worst without Mbuemo.”
Stephen Warnock compares Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo at Brentford 📈 pic.twitter.com/MT9flb46nC
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 26, 2024
Arsenal might regret the decision to keep a hold on the potential transfer. But we believe that they did the right thing, as there were major financial commitment attached to this deal.
They can convince the Bees to sell Mbeumo for a cheaper price next summer, as the parent club will have enough time to look for a replacement. Mikel Arteta’s side secured a stunning loan move for Sterling, a deal in which Chelsea were made to pay for his stay at the Emirates.
The Gunners got an experienced player who can play as a winger, striker, or attacking midfielder. We expect them to could go after Mbeumo once Sterling departs next summer.
But for now, they are happy with the talented pool of attackers at their disposal.
