Strengthening on the right-hand side of the attack is one of Newcastle’s three summer priorities, with a new goalkeeper and centre-half also regarded as essential upgrades ahead of the start of next season.
A number of different options for the right-attacking role are being considered, with Newcastle’s summer planning already well under way amid confidence that the club’s transfer activity will not be negatively affected by the departure of sporting director Paul Mitchell at the end of next month.
Mohammed Kudus and Antoine Semenyo have both been extensively scouted amid suggestions that West Ham and Bournemouth could have to sell at least one of their leading lights before the end of June in order to remain compliant with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.
However, Mbeumo is understood to be Newcastle’s preferred option, and while the 25-year-old has plenty of admirers right across Europe, there is growing belief within the Magpies’ recruitment team that a deal to take him to St James’ Park could be possible.
Only Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak had more goal involvements than Mbeumo in the Premier League last season, with the Brentford forward finishing the campaign with 20 goals and seven assists to his name.
For all that Jacob Murphy had an excellent campaign, Mbeumo would be an upgrade on Newcastle’s current right winger, with Brentford boss Thomas Frank having accepted that his side’s star performer will be in demand this summer.
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Ideally, Frank would love to keep Mbeumo at the Gtech Community Stadium for at least another season, but the Bees manager understands the financial pressures that will ultimately dictate how things play out.
“I’m the head coach, I want my best players to stay forever,” said Frank, when asked about Mbeumo’s future at the end of the season. “I know that Bryan is very happy being here at Brentford, he’s thriving, doing well and playing fantastic. What happens in the future? I don’t know.
“I’ve said many times – we are a selling club. But at the same time, we have to reinforce that there are ten clubs in the world who aren’t selling clubs.
“Of course, if the right price – and that’s going to be expensive – is coming, then I’m sure the club will be open for it. But I’m very happy he’s here, and I’m convinced that Bryan will still be happy playing football here.”
Mbeumo is due to enter the final year of his current contract next month, although Brentford have an option to extend the deal by another 12 months.
Newcastle look to have missed out on one of their attacking targets, with Liam Delap on the verge of completing a £30m move to Chelsea despite having also held talks with the Magpies as well as Manchester United and Everton.
Marc Guehi is the Magpies’ main early-summer target in central defence, with the Spanish media claiming Newcastle have held talks with Espanyol over goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
Garcia, who has a £20m release clause in his contract that can be activated this summer, came close to joining Arsenal just under a year ago, only for talks to break down.
He has also been linked with Barcelona, although the Spanish press claim he is reluctant to move to the recently-crowned La Liga champions as he would not be guaranteed regular game time.
