With summer on its way, attention is turning to international football, with both the Euros and Copa America set to start this month.
Back on Merseyside, June 1st was an important day for Liverpool FC, with new manager Arne Slot and new director of football Richard Hughes officially taking the reins. With the Reds gaining a creditable 82 points in last season’s Premier League, fans around the world are hoping that with a few quality additions the new boss can hit the ground running and challenge for major honours in 2024/25.
One man linked with a possible move to Anfield is Brentford’s Bryan Mbuemo. The Cameroon international has been touted as a possible target by French sports media giant L’Équipe, with a fee of around £50 million rumoured.
On the latest episode of our Journo Insight show, we asked the Liverpool Echo’s LFC correspondent Paul Gorst for his thoughts on the Mbuemo links.
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Neil said:
“You look at Sadio Mané and players like that who Liverpool brought in from a little bit further down the pecking order – Virgil van Dijk, of course – ready to take the next step. Brian Mbuemo might be no different.
“Every time I see Brentford, he’s always one of the most creative outlets on the right side of that attack.
“The issue for him is he plays where Mo Salah plays. That might not necessarily be a bad thing, that Mo isn’t playing 50 times a season at the age of 32. Or does Mo change position? Or it’s just a case of simple rotation, which hasn’t always been the case on that right side.
“There’s a lot about this that makes sense. Three seasons now in the Premier League. One to watch, I’d suggest.
“There’s no harm at all in beefing up the squad, and if they can get Mbuemo in on a reasonable fee, I certainly think it’s one to watch. Every time I see him, he looks like a player.
“It’s come from L’Équipe in France – a hugely reputable French organisation. They’re interesting quotes as well from him, leaning on the fact that it might be time for him to move a little bit up the pecking order, and I’m sure Brentford would wish him well with a sizable fee in the back pocket.”
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There are several moving parts in the possible pursuit of Bryan Mbuemo, who was described as a ‘leader in the making’ by Brentford boss Thomas Frank.
One would be if – as expected – Brentford lose star striker Ivan Toney in the summer transfer window. The west London side would be reluctant to lose their two main attacking threats in the space of one window, although the same could have been said about Brighton midfield maestros Alexis Mac Allister and Moisés Caicedo last summer. Another major factor is whether Liverpool would be seeking to add a sixth first-team attacker to the ranks, or whether the potential signing of Mbuemo would only be given the go-ahead if a player is sold. Luis Díaz continues to be linked with both PSG and Barcelona, so perhaps a deal for him would have to go through first. Mbuemo has shown his quality on the Premier League stage, and comparisons can be made to Sadio Mané. His goal and assist output could significantly increase in a side that creates as many chances as the Reds. If he can reach anything like the heights of Mané, he would certainly be a valuable addition to the squad.
