Arsenal failed to land one in-form Premier League player during the summer transfer window.
Now that the dust has settled on the drama that unfolded at Arsenal on deadline day, there has been time to reflect on the highs and lows of the transfer window.
Edu and Mikel Arteta sanctioned plenty of moves during the market period, including the arrivals of five players.
David Raya’s loan spell was made permanent, with Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino committing their futures to Arsenal later in the window.
On deadline day, Raheem Sterling and Neto arrived on loan, closing the door on the Gunners’ business over the summer of 2024.
- READ MORE: Every signing and exit Arsenal announced on transfer deadline day for the 2024 summer window
Arsenal wanted to sign Bryan Mbeumo
While Arteta and Edu will be satisfied with the work done over the summer at Arsenal, not every target was able to be acquired by the duo.
Now, it’s come to light that the Gunners had their eye on Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo, whom the North Londoners considered strongly.
That’s according to TNATS Patreon, where Arsenal’s interest in Mbeumo was documented.
“I think some of the names will surprise you, we’ve not heard them at all. The first one is a bit of a surprise one.
“It never got to any stage where it would happen, but our data team were really high on Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford. The deal would’ve been near impossible.”
It would have been a smart move for Edu and Arteta to make had the circumstances at Brentford been different, with the 25-year-old having the versatility and talent needed to make a difference in the current squad.
Arsenal were in the market for a winger to bolster the competition in the position during the summer window, reinforced by the late capture of Sterling in the dying embers of deadline day.
The club will be satisfied by the 29-year-old’s arrival, as the Englishman committed himself to Arsenal for the season on loan.
It’s an interesting time to learn of Arsenal’s interest in Mbeumo, who has started the season in outstanding form for the Bees.
Why Arsenal considered Bryan Mbeumo signing ‘impossible’
In 25 Premier League appearances last season, Mbeumo contributed to 15 goals for Thomas Frank’s side, scoring nine goals and recording six assists.
For that reason, it’s clear to see why Arsenal were alerted to his talent during the summer although, the possibility of the deal being completed was deemed ‘impossible’.
The key reason for the Gunners missing out on Mbeumo came down to Brentford’s stance on Ivan Toney’s future, as TNATS explained.
“They wanted a high fee because they knew they were losing Ivan Toney.
“Even though I knew the deal wouldn’t happen I was waiting for the name to break because they were strongly considering whether they could get him out of Brentford.”
Deployable in a variety of areas in attack, the 25-year-old has the versatility that Arsenal could need in the near future, with work to be done at bolstering Arteta’s depth in the front line.
The Arsenal boss could even be watching Mbeumo with a sense of regret this term, as the Cameroon international has started the season on fire, scoring three in three in the Premier League.
It would be difficult to imagine the Bees wanting to part ways with the forward any time soon considering Toney’s departure, making the prospect of Arsenal continuing their interest all the more thrilling.
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