Liverpool and Newcastle in exciting 'Prem transfer battle' for star outdoing Luis Diaz

Liverpool are reportedly set to battle it out with Newcastle for Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo. The Cameroonian forward is enjoying a fine season and is currently outdoing Luis Diaz in the Premier League goalscoring charts.

The 25-year-old has emerged as one of the most in-form attackers in the top flight after bagging eight goals this season for the Bees. That’s three more than Diaz has managed in his 11 games this term.

Reds boss Arne Slot has apparently been left impressed by his performances and Mbeumo is viewed as an attractive option due to the ‘versatility he offers’, according to The Sun.

The report also claims the Merseyside outfit have sent scouts to watch him throughout the season and are now ‘weighing up’ whether to make an offer for him.

Toon boss Eddie Howe is also keen on Mbeumo, though, and it appears the two clubs could go head-to-head next summer to land the £50million-rated attacker.

Mbeumo is rated as one of Brentford’s most important players, however, and the west London club are under no pressure to sell after allowing Ivan Toney to leave for Al-Ahli in the summer in a £40m deal.

Liverpool may need to find a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah as the Egyptian’s contract expires in June 2025 and along with Eintracht Frankfurt’s Omar Marmoush, Mbeumo has been linked with a move to Anfield.

Mbeumo has scored as many goals as his fellow African, although Salah has contributed six assists to Mbeumo’s one.

His contract is due to expire in June 2026 and he is yet to agree terms on an extension, which could force Brentford to cash in either in January or next summer.

The winger would add represent a low risk signing as a plug-and-play replacement for Salah, given his experience playing in the Premier League and impressive scoring record.

Salah claims he is yet to be offered an extension to his current deal, reported to be worth £350,000 a week, and there has been past interest in the forward from Saudi Arabia.

Liverpool may face a fight to land Mbeumo though, as the report also suggests Newcastle are apparently willing to offer striker Callum Wilson as a makeweight in a player-plus-cash deal.

When asked about his future earlier this season, Bees boss Thomas Frank gave an honest assessment of Mbeumo’s ability and admitted he could leave in the near future.

“He was our key player and has added another layer this season with five goals in six games,” he said. “That’s incredible and he’s creating chances. 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. All our players might need to leave us one day but a lot of them are happy because we have a top environment, with good people. We push each other.”