Arsenal add Premier League star to summer transfer shortlist | OneFootball

Arsenal are reported to have added Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo to a summer transfer shortlist as the Gunners seek to strengthen in wide forward areas.

Mbeumo has consistently impressed in the Premier League since Brentford’s promotion in 2021, but the Cameroon international has reached a new level so far in 2024/25 with 13 goals at the halfway stage. Only Mohamed Salah (18) and Erling Haaland (16) have scored more.

Interest from top-flight rivals isn't anything new, with Liverpool and Newcastle United similarly linked with Mbeumo before the January window opened. But Bees boss Thomas Frank wished any suitor "good luck" in their attempts to prise the player away and insisted "nothing will happen".

Not now, but not never is how Arsenal are seemingly taking that. Sky Sport Germany has reported that the Gunners are looking at a possible approach in the summer instead.

It's 13 Premier League goals and counting so far in 2024/25 / Richard Heathcote/GettyImages

The 25-year-old forward only has a contract with Brentford until 2026, meaning he is already into the final 18 months of that deal and would likely have to turn down a bigger club to sign a new one.

Brentford haven't typically been raided for their best players in recent seasons. David Raya, who joined Arsenal on loan before a permanent £27m transfer, is perhaps the main exception. Ivan Toney left last summer, but the striker was coming off the back of a less than stellar season and was running down his contract - but Brentford still managed to command a £40m fee from Al Ahli.

Arsenal have taken Raheem Sterling on loan this season without seeing any benefit from it. Bukayo Saka and Ethan Nwaneri have both suffered with injuries in recent weeks, highlighting the need for additional bodies in those forward positions.