Liverpool dealt blow in Salah replacement pursuit

Bryan Mbeumo is set for a bumper new Brentford contract, according to a report.

The winger has been a more than adequate replacement for the banned Ivan Toney, notching six goals and recording four assists in the Premier League so far this season. With Toney looking very likely to depart in 2024, having been heavily linked with Arsenal and Chelsea, the Bees are keen to tie Mbeumo down to a fresh deal to avoid losing two attacking stars next year.

At least that’s according to TEAMtalk, which claims that Brentford are planning talks with the 24-year-old – and this could be bad news for Liverpool. The Cameroon international is a left-footed right-winger and fits the bill in terms of the profile the Reds will look for should club legend Mohamed Salah depart in 2024.

The Egyptian continues to be linked with the Saudi Pro League. The largely government-funded nouveau riche division attempted to sign the 31-year-old in the summer, only to have several mega-money offers rebuffed by Liverpool. Not to be deterred, however, the Saudis are expected to launch fresh attempts in the upcoming two transfer windows and many feel that the Reds would be foolish not to cash in on the veteran despite his importance to Jurgen Klopp.

Mbeumo a Salah alternative?

The Saudi interest has seen the Reds linked with a host of potential replacements, including the likes of Leroy Sane and Nico Williams, who just penned a new Athletic Club deal.

Mbeumo is among the players Klopp and sporting director Jorg Schmadtke should be looking at, too. Indeed, back in October, former Premier League player Tony Cascarino urged the Reds to replace Salah with Mbeumo and data experts SciSports agree that he would be a good option.

Though Mbeumo hasn’t been as prolific as the Egyptian, his overall play this term sees him ranked higher than Salah among Premier League wingers. Moreover, Mbeumo is already an established, good player but SciSports believe that he still has a lot of room to grow and that he has the potential to reach similar heights to Salah.