Club captain thinks his ‘underrated’ teammate could now leave after Arsenal interest, he plays like Bukayo Saka

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The summer transfer market will be crucial to Mikel Arteta’s project at Arsenal after two disappointing windows.

Despite the need for additional signings, Arsenal failed in the January transfer window by not recruiting any talent. 

The same can be said for the 2024 summer window, as while five players arrived, key areas of Arteta’s squad were not addressed. 

Andrea Berta’s arrival as sporting director is expected to bolster Arsenal’s chances in the upcoming transfer window, giving fans some optimism as targets continue to be identified. 

• READ MORE: How Andrea Berta has reacted immediately at Arsenal after finding out what Real Madrid are doing with William Saliba

Arsenal target Bryan Mbeumo expected to leave Brentford 

Signing a forward in the summer transfer window is non-negotiable for Berta, who has a strong history in the striker market following his time at Atletico Madrid. 

While a number nine needs to be acquired, so does at least one wide player and fortunately, several targets have already been linked.

Arteta is an admirer of Nico Williams, Athletic Bilbao’s superstar winger, but the Spaniard isn’t the only one, as closer to home, Bryan Mbeumo is of interest to Arsenal. 

In the 2024 summer transfer window, it was reported that Arsenal were strongly considering a move for Mbeumo, who has been in searing form for Brentford this season. 

With the end of the 2024/25 campaign in sight, an optimistic update on Arsenal’s chances of signing Mbeumo has emerged, as the forward’s teammate Christian Norgaard revealed that the 25-year-old is likely to move on. 

“I think Bryan [Mbeumo] is likely to go,” Norgaard told Sky Sports, “I don’t know about Wissa yet. Everyone still hopes he might stay.”

Having contributed to 49 goals between them in all competitions this term for the Bees, Thomas Frank will be sweating over the future of both of his star players.

Mbeumo would be a worthy investment for Arsenal

It’s not only the Cameroonian’s potency in front of goal that could tempt Arsenal to sign him, but also those he draws comparisons too.

Arsenal legend Martin Keown compared Mbeumo to Bukayo Saka and Mohamed Salah, lauding the Brentford winger as ‘the most underrated player in the Premier League’. 

One thing Arteta needs as much as a striker in the summer transfer window is competition in the wide areas, with Saka needing to have cover and Gabriel Martinelli requiring a challenge.

The Brazilian’s form has been mostly poor since the highs of the 2022/23 season, emphasising Arsenal’s need to recruit in that area.

Mbeumo is on Manchester United’s radar as well as Arsenal’s, signalling a possible transfer battle for the forward, who, as a Premier League-proven 25-year-old, would be a hot acquisition for any club this summer.