Liverpool 'planning shock move for £50m Premier League star' as swap deal planned

Liverpool are ‘planning’ a move for an in-form Premier League forward – but they may have to compete with a rival to sign the player.

Liverpool have started the season in excellent fashion, with new manager Arne Slot seeing his side pick up 15 wins in his first 17 games in charge of the Reds.

The Merseyside-based side also sit top of both the Premier League and the 36-team Champions League group phase.

However, one of the first challenges faced by Slot when he arrived was the lack of new players coming into the club during the summer transfer window.

Just Federico Chiesa and Giorgi Mamardashvili were recruited, with the Georgian ‘keeper instantly loaned back to Valencia until the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

The Reds tried and failed to sign Real Sociedad ‘number six’ Martin Zubimendi, but so far, Ryan Gravenberch has performed well in the role.

Despite most things currently being positive at the club, the only real negatives are the contractual situations Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk find themselves in – all three are out of contract at the end of the season.

However, the club are now ‘weighing’ up a move for the Egyptian's potential replacement, according to The Sun.

Liverpool are thought to be keen on Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, 25, who has been in impressive form, having already netted eight goals in 11 appearances for the Bees this term.

Mbeumo is most comfortable playing as a right forward/winger, which happens to be the position Salah takes up in the Liverpool side.

Bryan Mbeumo could be Liverpool's Mo Salah replacement (Credit:Getty)

But Slot’s side may be in for some tough competition to sign the player as Newcastle United have been ‘watching’ the player, who is said to be highly regarded by Magpies’ boss Eddie Howe.

The report suggests the Tynesiders may be willing to offer Callum Wilson as part of a potential £50m deal, but it is still unclear if talks are underway between either of the clubs.

What has Bryan Mbeumo said about a potential transfer?

Back in May 2024, the France-born Cameroon international admitted he would like to play at the “best clubs”.

“I have spent five years at Brentford, at a club that has allowed me to grow and pass a milestone, but yes, I would like to play in the biggest competitions, at the best clubs," he said in an interview with L’Equipe.

"It is tantalising to see some big clubs interested in me. We will see [about a transfer]."

The 25-year-old’s current Brentford contract is set to run until June 2026.