Newcastle United have 'strongest interest' in £50m Premier League forward with club braced for summer bids - journalist

One of Newcastle United's biggest aims this summer is to add extra firepower and support for Alexander Isak.

Jacob Murphy has stepped up brilliantly this season but should anything happen to the 30-year-old, Newcastle have no ready-made options as backup.

Similarly, if anything were to happen to Alexander Isak, Newcastle only really has Will Osula who isn't yet trusted and Callum Wilson who can be put out for the season by a stiff breeze.

Newcastle will look to address both positions this summer, either with a player for each position or finding a versatile forward who can do it all.

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Graeme Bailey believes Newcastle are at the front of the queue for Bryan Mbeumo

One player Newcastle have had in their sights for a while is Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo whose form this season has only made Newcastle's interest grow stronger. Unfortunately, it has also attracted other clubs who could pose a challenge to the Magpies.

Journalist Graeme Bailey has told The Boot Room that Newcastle still leads the race for Mbeumo and holds the 'strongest interest' of the other interested parties.

“There’s a quiet acceptance at Brentford that he’s the next one out. Do they let [Yoane] Wissa and Mbeumo out? It’s possible this summer.

“I think Brentford have stagnated a bit, to say they’ve had a disappointing season would be a little bit harsh, but they have plateaued and I do expect Mbeumo to go this summer.

“There’s an awful lot of interest in him; are Newcastle furthest ahead in that interest? I think there’s a case they are at this point, but we know Arsenal have looked at him, and I think for Liverpool, if Salah had left, Mbeumo would have been an option there.

“He’s a brilliant Premier League player and I think the clubs looking at him could see him as a Sadio Mane/Diogo Jota-type player where he gets the move and becomes a breakout star. I think the clubs looking at him seem him in that regard.

“I probably would make Newcastle the favourites at this point, but there’s a handful of teams in the Premier League who are looking at Mbeumo. I think he will leave and be one of the bigger names of the summer.”

Newcastle are prepared to pay £50 million to sign Bryan Mbeumo

Mbeumo has been slapped with a £50 million valuation by Brentford, but it has been said that Newcastle would be happy to pay that fee if it meant winning the race for his signature.

The Cameroon international is a right-winger by trade but can play through the middle as a centre-forward or second striker meaning he would be an ideal signing for Eddie Howe this summer.

Add to that the fact that he's bagged 16 goals in the Premier League this season for a bang-average Brentford side, then you know that £50 million could end up being a bargain.