Newcastle United are expected to have a busy summer transfer window and Bryan Mbeumo appears to be the top target.
It’s been a great season for Newcastle United, having ended the 70-year wait for a trophy by clinching the Carabao Cup and closing in on a return to the Champions League.
Getting back into Europe’s top competition has been the ultimate aim for Eddie Howe but the manager will want backing this summer to ensure the club stay there.
Newcastle haven’t spent as much as might have been expected under the PIF ownership in recent transfer windows as they have been heavily restricted by PSR rules.
However, a year of smart sales appears to have given the Magpies room to manoeuvre this summer to be able to strengthen the squad considerably.
As well as a centre-back and goalkeeper, Newcastle are keen to add a new forward to their attacking arsenal and Bryan Mbeumo has long been considered a dream signing.
Thomas Frank recently admitted Brentford are a selling club, which certainly helps Newcastle’s pursuit of the Cameroonian.
However, perhaps they should consider making Eberechi Eze their marquee attacking signing instead after Alan Shearer was left blown away by him last weekend.
Alan Shearer left stunned by ‘exceptional’ Eze goal
Eze guided his Crystal Palace side to the FA Cup final on Saturday, inspiring a 3-0 win over Aston Villa in which he scored a sensational opening goal.
Speaking on BBC commentary, Shearer was left dazzled by the thunderous strike from outside the box.
He said: “You’re thinking, can Sarr find that final ball? He certainly did that, into Eze. What a strike that is, 22 or 23 yards out and into the roof of the net, what a finish.
“That finish is exceptional.”
The strike was Eze’s third goal in this year’s FA Cup campaign after netting in the third round against Stockport County and the quarter-final vs Fulham.
Speaking after the victory at Craven Cottage, Palace manager Oliver Glasner hailed his star playmaker as an ‘amazing finisher’ despite just four of his nine goals coming in the Premier League.
“I think Ebere has had a strange season, he hasn’t had many goals in the Premier League and he has been unlucky, but he keeps going, he’s also struggled with strange injuries.
“The goal against Latvia and his first for England means a lot for him. He always has the confidence, we know he’s an amazing finisher to cut inside on his right foot with an amazing finish.
“We need this quality, he helped us today massively.”
How much would Eberechi Eze cost Newcastle United?
There is no doubt that Mbeumo is a great player who would be a very smart signing for Newcastle.
The combative yet classy forward has proven himself extremely versatile by being equally comfortable on the wing or up front and has an impressive 18 goals and 6 assists to his name in the league this season.
Howe would reportedly love to sign Mbeumo and the club’s recruitment team are said to agree.
However, he does fulfil a role Newcastle already have plenty of. Alexander Isak provides the goal up top and Jacob Murphy has proven with a spectacular campaign that he doesn’t need to be replaced, even if he is an unfashionable name.
With Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes as well, the Magpies are well-stocked on quick attackers and wingers. Another, especially of Mbuemo’s quality, wouldn’t hurt but what they are missing is a playmaker.
Newcastle’s midfield has been the bedrock of the side’s success but Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes is a very rough and ready trifecta lacking in guile and creative spark.
That becomes particularly apparent against deep blocks who look to close Newcastle out.
Eze, though, could be Newcastle’s key to unlock stubborn defences. Something different. That bit of ingenuity is needed sometimes, especially as Newcastle solidify themselves as a real force in the league.
Eze and Mbeumo are both valued at around £60m by their clubs, so Newcastle are unlikely to be able to sign both, unfortunately. The Crystal Palace man might be the transfer they’re more in need of.
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