Salah replacement: Liverpool rival Arsenal for 'top player'

Tom Weber

• Updated: 30 Sep 2024 11:47 CDT
• 4 min read

Liverpool are still firmly in the race for Bryan Mbeumo, according to a report.

The Reds still face the threat of club legend Mohamed Salah departing at the end of the season. While the Egyptian has been said to be open to penning an extension, the fact of the matter is that his contract is up next summer and formal talks over a new deal have not yet started.

Given the significant interest in his services from the Saudi Pro League, this is a dangerous situation to be in for Liverpool. In the 2023 summer window, Saudi dealmakers were prepared to put north of €100 million on the table for the 32-year-old, but now they could land him on a Bosman.

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It is, therefore, unsurprising that Liverpool are sounding out the market for potential replacements. Though they did sign Juventus winger Federico Chiesa in the summer, he prefers playing on the left so he is not a natural heir to Salah.

Other options have emerged in the media in recent times, chief among Chelsea flop Christian Pulisic, who has impressed since joining AC Milan in 2023. However, there is also another name out there that refuses to go away.

Liverpool keen on Mbeumo

The name in question is that of Brentford attacker Bryan Mbeumo. The Cameroon international has been linked with the Reds as a potential Salah replacement for over a year and TEAMtalk claims that Liverpool remain keen.

Mbeumo has been the Bees' star man since last season when he more than adequately replaced Ivan Toney and he has netted five goals in six Premier League games so far this campaign.

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This, unsurprisingly, has attracted the attention of other clubs as well. Arsenal have been heavily linked with the 25-year-old in recent weeks, while the above-mentioned report also adds Newcastle to the list of admirers.

According to Brentford boss Thomas Frank, Mbeumo is ready for the next step. “He’s a top player. I’m convinced he will play for a bigger club. I’d buy him if I was at a bigger club! We convinced him to stay and he’s very happy," he said after the weekend's 1-1 draw with West Ham.