According to Football Insider transfer expert Peter O’Rourke, Newcastle United are laying down the groundwork to sign Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo in January.
The Magpies look like they are back to their winning ways after another three points were notched up on their visit to Nottingham Forest’s City Ground this weekend.
Eddie Howe will feel huge pressure has been lifted off his shoulders heading into the international break, as his team look back bang in form following six points tallied up against Arsenal and Forest in recent weeks.
Newcastle are now eighth in the Premier League table just one point behind Chelsea in third, and with the current standings so close it will be felt that they have a fantastic chance to keep their European football qualification chances alive and strong.
The North East giants will be back in action on Monday 25th November at St James’ Park against West Ham, a team who are currently struggling for form under Julen Lopetegui, so there is a real opportunity to capitalise on their misfortunes under the lights at home ahead of the Christmas run in.
Despite a positive outlook on Tyneside at present, the lack of impactful summer signings remains a hot topic of conversation ahead of the transfer market reopening in a matter of weeks.
It is widely reported that the club are set to rectify mistakes made ahead of the current season and new sporting director Paul Mitchell will be on a mission to strengthen key roles in the team ahead of the second half of the campaign.
Football Insider are now reporting that Newcastle are not wasting any time or effort in laying the groundwork to ensure they are in prime position to secure the signature of Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo in January.
The talented forward is considered the top target for the Tynesiders, but warned they will have competition to snap up his services with other Premier League clubs looking to boost their attacking threat, with Arsenal noted as potential suitors.
The report further states that Newcastle are expected to remain restricted in flexing their financial powers in the new year and it may be that the club will weigh up their options on whether to pull the trigger in January or wait until the summer in the hope that they will be able to meet Brentford’s demands more comfortably.
Should Newcastle sign Mbeumo in January?
There is no doubt that Mbeumo would add a lot of quality and an improvement on finishing in the Newcastle front line, but is it the biggest priority for the Magpies in January?
It is reported that it will cost £50m for the Bees to part ways with their in form forward – once dubbed “brilliant” by Brentford boss Thomas Frank – in early 2025, and given Newcastle’s financial restrictions, it would likely take them out of the market to improve other areas of the pitch in January.
The focus was heavily on signing a centre-back in the summer, with Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi the object of Howe’s desires throughout the final weeks of the transfer window, but unfortunately a deal could not be struck before the deadline.
Fabian Schar and Dan Burn have been doing their part in keeping the dreams of European qualification dreams alive so far this season in the centre-back partnership during Sven Botman’s absence, with the Dutchman expected back before the year ends.
It is unclear on just how quickly Botman can get back up to speed as he is yet to return to full team training since having ACL surgery back in April, so it does warrant a conversation on whether the defensive set up could use reinforcements for rotation over the second half of the season.
With that being said, it will be interesting to see how the recruitment hierarchy at Newcastle approach the January transfer window and whether their priorities will hugely differ to those in the summer.
