Chelsea’s €60m offer for Premier League’s ‘most popular’ striker

Chelsea continue to search for a centre-forward to provide competition for Nicolas Jackson, and the attention of the Blues has turned towards a player who is considered to be the “most popular” in the Premier League.

Fichajes reports that Chelsea are getting ready to make a €60 million move for Bryan Mbeumo, having been impressed by the early season form of the Cameroon international forward.

Peak of his powers

Mbeumo has been one of the Premier League’s form strikers this season, scoring eight goals in 11 matches for the Bees.

He has seen his profile rise as a result, yet even last term the 25-year-old was highly impressive as he netted nine times in 25 Premier League encounters. Mbeumo is now well on his way to hitting double figures in the top-flight for the first time.

With an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €44m, down from a peak of €62.5m, Chelsea’s proposed €60m bid is not dramatically out of line for a player whose contract will expire in little over 18 months.

Chelsea are not alone in chasing Mbeumo, though. Fichajes notes that the striker is on the radar of “several” of Brentford’s Premier League rivals, although Enzo Maresca’s side “look set to take the lead in the race for his signature”.

Furthermore, FootballTransfers has exclusively revealed that Arsenal are also monitoring teammate Yoane Wissa.

Bryan Mbeumo: Will Brentford sell?

Brentford are unlikely to be willing to sell Mbeumo at the midway point of the season. The London club sold Ivan Toney to Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli in the summer for €42m, and having seen one of their prolific scorers depart are unlikely to be willing to part with another.

If Chelsea are to broker a deal, it will likely involve them paying well over the odds for the striker, suggesting that a €60m offer may not be enough.

Thomas Frank’s side are enjoying another highly competitive Premier League season. Although 11th in the standings, Brentford are only three points off the Champions League spots with 11 games of the campaign played.