This season's Premier League has been exceptionally exciting, with many mid-table teams performing outstandingly and causing significant trouble for traditional powerhouse clubs.
Nicknamed the "Little Bees," Brentford currently ranks 11th with a record of 8 wins, 4 draws, and 10 losses. Although their ranking is not particularly high, the team has unleashed its firepower, scoring 40 goals in 22 Premier League matches. Among them, the frontline duo of Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney have scored 13 and 11 goals respectively, ranking high on the goal-scoring charts. In particular, Bryan Mbeumo has attracted attention from several top clubs, with Liverpool even considering him as a replacement for Mohamed Salah.
Bryan Mbeumo was born on August 7, 1999, in France. His father is Cameroonian, and his mother is French, giving him dual nationality of both countries.
Mbeumo began his professional career with French club Troyes, joining the first team during the 2017-18 season. Due to his impressive performances in the youth team, Mbeumo was also selected multiple times for the French youth national teams.
However, due to the abundance of talent in the French national team, Mbeumo chose to represent Cameroon after reaching the senior level.
In the summer of 2019, Mbeumo transferred to Brentford, then still in the Championship, for a fee of 6.5 million euros. After two seasons of honing his skills in the Championship, Brentford successfully gained promotion to the Premier League in the 2021-22 season.
On the fast-paced and physically demanding stage of the Premier League, Mbeumo's personal abilities have significantly improved, gradually transforming him into a top-class winger.
Standing at 1.71 meters tall and weighing 70 kilograms, Mbeumo possesses excellent physical attributes, with remarkable speed and explosive power. He is technically adept and skilled at dribbling past opponents. As a left-footed player, Mbeumo, like Salah, excels in the right-wing position, where his signature move is cutting inside and shooting with his left foot. He is also capable of playing in multiple positions such as center-forward and second striker.
Due to his resemblance in appearance and beard to NBA star LeBron James, Mbeumo has become a social media sensation.
In Brentford's 4-2-3-1 formation this season, Mbeumo serves as the attacking core on the right flank, with most of the team's attacks initiated from this side. So far, Mbeumo has started all 22 Premier League matches, scoring 13 goals and providing 3 assists, contributing to a total of 16 goals, showcasing an exceptional performance.
Furthermore, Mbeumo takes on significant defensive responsibilities, often dropping back to his own half to participate in defensive support and second-ball contests. Consequently, he also boasts defensive statistics in the Premier League, averaging 1.27 tackles and 1.36 clearances per match.
Mbeumo plays a crucial role for the Cameroon national team as well. To date, he has made 18 appearances for Cameroon, scoring 4 goals and providing 1 assist.
His outstanding performances for both club and country have skyrocketed his market value, which now stands at 50 million euros on Transfermarkt.
Recently, multiple media outlets have reported that four Premier League giants—Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur—are monitoring Mbeumo with intentions to secure his services.
Liverpool, in particular, views him as the ideal replacement for Salah. Both players share similar technical characteristics, operating as left-footed wingers who cut inside, and despite not being particularly tall, they possess strong abilities to play with their backs to goal. This season, Mbeumo's shooting efficiency has significantly improved, making him arguably the player most akin to Salah among current footballers.
Arsenal, Manchester United, and Tottenham are also looking to enhance their forward lines, and Mbeumo, who can play in multiple front-line positions, is one of the best choices.
With Mbeumo's contract expiring in June 2026 and the club holding an option to extend it by another year, Brentford is not concerned about the issue of him entering the final year of his contract.
Considering Mbeumo's form this season, along with his age and market value, Brentford would likely demand a minimum transfer fee of 60 million euros.
So, which top club will Bryan Mbeumo join?