Liverpool told to make surprise raid on Premier League rival to replace Mo Salah
Liverpool have been told there is a perfect replacement for Mohamed Salah already playing in the Premier League.
talkSPORT host Tony Cascarino claims Brentford winger Bryan Mbeumo would be an ideal signing to fill the Egyptian King’s boots should he depart Anfield.
While Liverpool managed to keep hold of Salah this summer despite constant links with a possible move to Saudi Arabia, those exit links are unlikely to go away anytime soon.
Salah is one of three key Reds players who have entered the final year of their contracts, along with Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, with no news over their immediate futures.
Although talkSPORT understands Liverpool are planning to enter talks with Salah soon over a possible extension, his electric start to the season is only going to increase the Saudis’ desire to sign him.
It’s likely the Merseyside club’s transfer gurus are already looking at a potential replacement for the Anfield legend, and Cascariuno says Mbeumo would be a perfect fit.
Speaking to Brentford fan and co-host Natalie Sawyer ahead of the Bees’ Premier League clash with Man City, the former Chelsea striker (and lifelong Liverpool fan) said: “I remember saying to you about if Mo Salah left, Mbeumo would be the one I would have gone after.
“He’s got so much about him, he’s got goals, he’s got durability.
“He’s just a nuisance every time he plays.”
While Ivan Toney has been the headline act for Brentford in their four seasons back in the Premier League, Mbeumo has been a consistent performer behind the scenes – and shouldered the responsibility in Toney’s absence during his betting ban.
The 25-year-old Cameroon international has a record of 25 goals and 21 assists in 101 top flight appearances in a Brentford shirt.
He’s also on a run of eight goal involvements in his last ten Premier League appearances.
3
3
Mbeumo joined the Bees from French side Troyes in 2019 for the tidy sum of £5.8million.
That was a club record transfer for Brentford at the time, and they can bank on the fact they’ll be in for a big pay day should any of the Premier League big boys come calling.
The winger’s current value sits at around the £35m mark, but Brentford are known as tough negotiators – as Toney’s suitors discovered this summer before his eventual £40m departure to Saudi club Al-Ahli.
According to reports, Brentford put a £50m price tag on Mbeumo for the recent summer transfer window.
However, he will enter the final year of his current contract at the end of this season, and so it’s likely Brentford will accept a lower offer next summer, with claims the player is in no rush to sign an extension.
Mbeumo appears to be keeping his options open, having been candid about his future in an interview with French outlet L’Equipe earlier this year.
Speaking in May, he said: “I’ve spent five seasons at Brentford, in 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 enticing to see some big teams 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 lift the Champions League trophy.
“I would like to win the Champions League,” he told the Evening Standard.
“Anything is possible.”
JOIN THE DUGOUT
Have your say on all things talkSPORT by joining ‘The DUGOUT’ – our new listener panel.
We’re all about diving deep into your perspectives, and making sure talkSPORT is the absolute best it can be. Your voice matters, and we want to hear it!
Pitch your game-changing ideas, and join in with fun surveys, polls, and locker-room discussions.
Just by joining, you’ll enter a prize draw to win one of four £50 Amazon vouchers, with another prize draw entry for every survey you complete after that
To join the ‘The DUGOUT’ panel, please click here.