This is getting embarrassing now - "Expert" makes insane claim about Newcastle United and Bryan Mbeumo

Newcastle United have a very big interest in Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo as they look to add quality on the right flank at a similar level to what they have on the left.

The biggest aim for Newcastle this summer is to bulk up the squad with quality players who can help push the club on to the next step and so they can compete on four fronts next season after watching their squad crumble like extra mature cheddar the last time they played in Europe.

While there will be sales this summer, we'd be absolutely stunned if any major first-team players head for the exit unless they have expressly pushed for a move themselves.

This summer is about growth, additions, not weakening the team ahead of a challenging season.

Football Insider really needs to fact-check stuff before they put it out there

I think most people would agree that's what's likely to be on the agenda for the Magpies this summer.

Enter the infamous Mick Brown. Football Insider's 'expert' former scout who worked at Manchester United and Sunderland, and still, allegedly, has contacts in the game.

If he does, then I can only suggest that these contacts are just taking the piss out of the old man at this point because not one thing I've ever read of his on Football Insider has bore anything resembling a likely scenario. Granted, I only glance through his stuff if it involves Newcastle, and with his Sunderland connections, he could just be making this stuff up as rage bait, only he will know.

Mind, Football Insider chooses to publish it every time, and you'd think maybe someone over there would stop and think about whether anything he's said adds up when put alongside everything else out there.

Mick Brown reckons Newcastle need to sell a top player to get Bryan Mbeumo

This is his latest piece, speculating on the transfer of Bryan Mbeumo but saying that Newcastle could only afford him if they sell Anthony Gordon or Harvey Barnes.

“Newcastle are very interested in Bryan Mbeumo.

“But they’ll only be able to pay his £50-60million price tag if they lose one of their current players.

“They’ve got Harvey Barnes who has had a bit of resurgence lately and established himself in the side.

“Then, they’ve got Anthony Gordon, and there’s been a bit of talk about him moving on.

“It’s an interesting dilemma for Newcastle because there are a few players who they don’t feel are good enough to be major parts of where they want to be.

“But they’re still concerned about PSR and whether they can go out and spend big money.

“If they get offers for Gordon or Barnes which they deem acceptable, they could be sold which would then allow Newcastle to reinvest that money into their squad.

“Mbeumo has been a top-level player on a consistent basis and has had an impressive season.

“He’d be perfect for Newcastle on that right-hand side, but it’s just a concern about their finances.

“If they can sell first, then they’ll go for it, but if they can’t then they won’t be able to afford him.”

Nowhere else has it been suggested that Newcastle need to sell to raise funds for Mbeumo

His contacts must have no association with Newcastle at all, and he must be in a media blackout otherwise, because absolutely nothing recently has suggested that Newcastle would need to sell anyone, never mind a player of Gordon or Barnes' calibre, in order to be able to afford Bryan Mbeumo.

In fact, it has been reported several times that Newcastle are willing to pay the £50m-£60 million it would take to land the Cameroonian winger without even a hint of a player sale first.

I know I should just ignore these types of stories, but the thing is, a lot of fans read Football Insider and many fans believe what they read, and I just can't keep letting this guy's stuff slide by unchecked.

I'm sure Mick Brown is a lovely fella and I'm even sure he does know what he's talking about up to a point, but when it comes to Newcastle United, he's always so far wide of the mark it's like that Alexander Isak volley that somehow ended up looking like a stunning pass out wide against Ipswich the other week.