Brentford first to make ‘concrete move’ for player – ‘Pressing hard’, €20m plus offer will shake club’s resolve..
Brentford are moving concretely to try and sign Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup but will face stern competition for him.
That’s according to La Repubblica, via Calcio Atalanta, who report that there is a growing list of admirers for the midfielder.
The newspaper reports that everyone is ‘crazy’ about Frendrup ahead of the summer, with the Danish midfielder becoming a mainstay of Genoa’s team over the last three years.
The ‘market sirens’ for him are getting louder and louder and now several big Italian sides and foreign clubs are moving to sign Genoa’s ‘jewel’.
Brentford were the first club to make a ‘concrete move’ for the player, who has been monitored by the Bees’ scouts for some time.
They are ‘pressing hard’ and the possibility of them presenting an offer worth more than €20m has not been ruled out. That would ‘shake the rossoblù management’.
They’ve made it clear that they will not offer any discounts for their talents but accept it is impossible to keep any players in the face of ‘off-market’ offers. €20m plus for Frendrup would certainly be that.
AC Milan, Juventus, Atalanta and Fiorentina are all interested in Italy, though, so it is by no means an easy transfer for Brentford to get done.
Atalanta are particularly keen to sign him as a replacement for Ederson, who has been linked with Manchester United and Real Madrid this summer.
A move is seen as ‘increasingly likely’ for Frendrup either way, with Brentford in the mix and seemingly ready to put their money on the table.
Mbeumo Cunha or Bakayoko to Newcastle? – Craig Hope issues transfer update…
Imperative to our push for European football and our Carabao Cup triumph, the likes of Alexander Isak and Jacob Murphy have shone this season, with Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes also boasting 30 goal involvements between them.
That said, at least one more attacker will be added to our ranks this summer, with three recently-linked forwards discussed in Craig Hope’s latest piece for The Mail.
Mbeumo fee a key factor
Writing in his Newcastle Confidential column, North East reporter Craig Hope has discussed our stance over a move for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and Wolves’ Matheus Cunha.
Whilst we’ve long admired both attackers, their price tags may complicate potential moves to St James’ Park, with Mbeumo valued at £60m+ and Cunha’s release clause priced at £62.5m.
Hope writes: “I’m just not sure Newcastle would pay upwards of £60million. Paul Mitchell said during his interview with us in September that paying a premium for proven players was a luxury they could perhaps no longer afford.”
However, Mbeumo is clearly a player we like, insists Hope. With Newcastle also in the market for a goalkeeper, centre-back and striker, he reports that we could look to negotiate a fee below the £60m mark, especially now the Cameroonian is approaching the final two years of his contract.
Cunha set to sign elsewhere?
Wolves star Matheus Cunha is available for a similar fee and it’s believed his versatility is something of huge appeal to Eddie Howe, but it seems the Brazilian is heading to Manchester United.
Hope reveals that the Red Devils have offered a salary package ‘way beyond’ what Newcastle are able to offer at present, which may explain why there is growing talk of him favouring a move to Old Trafford.
However, should the Red Devils fail to win the Europa League and deny themselves Champions League football next season, there ‘may still be a twist or two’ in this transfer saga.
PSV star unlikely to sign
One rumoured target that’s gone quiet following strong links earlier this year is PSV’s Johan Bakayoko, who remains a more budget-friendly option compared to his Premier League counterparts.
Although, whilst interest in Mbeumo and Cunha remains incredibly high, interest in the Belgian is understood to have declined in recent months.
On the Belgian, Hope states: “Johan Bakayoko, of PSV, has been watched, but it’s gone quiet on him of late. I’m not sure the interest is that strong.”
At 22-years-old with Champions League pedigree, Bakayoko would be an intriguing option who’d cost considerably less than the £60m+ Mbeumo and Cunha.
However, he’s only started one of PSV’s last six league games and may not be the top-quality option able to improve Eddie Howe’s first team after a superb season for Jacob Murphy.
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