Newcastle United ready to pull trigger with £50m bid for Aston Villa target

The Magpies are eyeing up an approach for Brentford attacker Bryan Mbuemo but face competition from Villa and a host of fellow English top-tier clubs.

Eddie Howe, eager to add quality in wide attacking areas, is said to have listed Mbuemo as a priority target despite Newcastle’s current financial limitations. There’s no wonder as the Cameroon international has been in scintillating form so far this season, netting eight goals in 11 Premier League appearances.

Football Insider reports Newcastle have already laid the groundwork to sign Mbuemo, who they believe will be the perfect man to fit into the inverted right winger role. Howe is ready to pull the trigger as soon as possible, though there’s still time to wait until the funds are available.

As the Toon are still walking a tightrope with the Premier League’s strict profit and sustainability regulations (PSR), signing Mbuemo would only be possible in the summer. This could provide an opportunity for Villa and other clubs interested to swoop in ahead of Newcastle.

An earlier report from Football Insider suggested Brentford have set an asking price of £50 million for their star forward. Villa are said to face competition from Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City and Nottingham Forest - as well as Newcastle if the saga drifts on until the summer.

Mbuemo, signed from Troyes in August 2019 for just £5.8 million, has contributed 58 goals and 43 assists in 213 appearances for Brentford. The 25-year-old has 18 months left on his current contract, though the Bees hold the option of a further year.