Arsenal explored move to sign surprise Premier League star before snapping up Raheem Sterling on deadline day: Reports
Arsenal reportedly explored the chance to sign Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo this summer before moving for Raheem Sterling. The Gunners' attack could have looked very different at the end of the deadline day if reports are to be believed.
Mikel Arteta's side ended up signing Chelsea's versatile forward on a season-long loan on deadline day. Sterling was deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge by new manager Enzo Maresca.
The 29-year-old was banished from first-team training as speculation over his future intensified in the final days of the transfer window. New signing Pedro Neto was handed Sterling's jersey No. 7 while Sterling was still at the club.
According to Arsenal insider Team News and Ticks, the North London side wanted Brentford's Mbeumo to bolster their attack. He's quoted by TBR as saying:
"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."
However, Mbeumo stayed with the Bees, while Arteta's side signed Chelsea's wantaway winger Raheem Sterling on loan for the season.
"The deal to bring Mbeumo to Arsenal would have been near impossible" - Arsenal insider
Before the deadline day, Arsenal had added reinforcements in all areas except for attack. Goalkeeper David Raya's loan deal was made permanent over the summer, while defender Riccardo Calafiori joined from Bologna. Real Sociedad's Mikel Menino came in to complement Declan Rice and Thomas Partey in midfield.
In attack, the Gunners were linked to a plethora of players before finally signing Sterling. Bayern Munich's attacking duo of Kingsley Coman and Leroy Sane were both linked to the Gunners.
However, the surprise was Englishman Bryan Mbeumo, who reportedly impressed Arsenal's data team. Although the deal was considered "near impossible", the 25-year-old was one the Gunners really wanted, according to the aforementioned insider.
"The deal (to sign Mbeumo) would’ve been near impossible. They wanted a high fee because they knew they were losing Ivan Toney," Team News and Ticks said.
"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," he concluded.
With Sterling signed only on loan, the Gunners are likely to be in the market for a winger at the end of the season