Forget Bryan Mbeumo: Newcastle should target ‘amazing finisher’ who blew Alan Shearer away

Newcastle United stand at a pivotal moment in their ambitious project. After ending their 70-year trophy drought with Carabao Cup glory and edging closer to Champions League qualification, the Magpies now face crucial decisions in the transfer market.

While Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo has long been touted as their primary attacking target, Crystal Palace’s mesmerizing playmaker Eberechi Eze is making an irresistible case to become their marquee summer signing instead.

The financial constraints of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) have forced Newcastle to operate prudently in recent windows, but strategic player sales have finally created room for meaningful investment.

With defensive reinforcements and a new goalkeeper already on the shopping list, Eddie Howe also seeks to bolster his attacking options—a pursuit that has sparked an intriguing debate between two exceptional but fundamentally different talents.

The Case for Bryan Mbeumo

Mbeumo’s credentials are undeniable. The Brentford forward has enjoyed a career-best season with 18 goals and 6 assists, showcasing remarkable versatility by excelling both as a winger and makeshift center-forward.

His direct running, clinical finishing, and relentless work ethic make him a textbook Eddie Howe player—one who could slot seamlessly into Newcastle’s high-octane system.

At 24, Mbeumo represents both immediate impact and long-term value. His Premier League pedigree means no adaptation period would be required, a crucial factor for a club aiming to hit the ground running in next season’s Champions League.

With a reported £60 million price tag, he wouldn’t come cheap, but his proven output in England’s top flight offers relative security for such a significant investment.

The Eberechi Eze Revelation

Yet as Newcastle’s hierarchy finalizes their shortlist, Eze’s recent performances have demanded reconsideration. The Palace magician left Alan Shearer awestruck with a thunderous strike in the FA Cup semifinal—a moment that encapsulated his rare ability to produce moments of pure inspiration.

“That finish is exceptional,” marveled the Newcastle legend during BBC commentary, echoing the sentiments of every spectator at Wembley.

Eze brings something Newcastle currently lack: a creative fulcrum capable of unpicking stubborn defenses. While Howe’s midfield trio of Joelinton, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimarães provides steel and energy, it lacks a natural playmaker’s subtlety.

Against compact, low-block opponents—a growing challenge for upwardly mobile clubs—Eze’s dribbling, vision, and capacity for the spectacular could prove transformative.

Palace manager Oliver Glasner’s description of Eze as an “amazing finisher” hints at untapped potential. Despite an injury-disrupted season, the 25-year-old has demonstrated his big-game mentality with crucial goals in Palace’s cup run and a maiden strike for England. His ability to operate centrally or drift wide offers tactical flexibility Howe would relish.

Tactical Considerations and Existing Resources

Newcastle’s current attacking roster influences this dilemma. Alexander Isak has cemented himself as the first-choice striker, while Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes provide pace and trickery out wide.

Jacob Murphy’s unexpected renaissance—culminating in his best-ever Premier League campaign—adds further depth on the right flank.

This context makes Mbeumo’s potential signing somewhat duplicative. While his quality would undoubtedly strengthen the squad, he doesn’t address the most glaring creative deficiency.

Eze, conversely, would introduce a new dimension—a player capable of receiving between the lines, committing defenders, and providing the unpredictable spark that breaks tight contests.

With both players valued around £60 million, Newcastle likely face an either/or scenario rather than the luxury of securing both. This decision carries profound implications for their stylistic evolution.

Mbeumo offers reliability and a known Premier League quantity, but Eze promises the X-factor that could elevate Newcastle from top-four hopefuls to genuine trophy contenders.

Howe’s preference for industrious attackers might initially favor Mbeumo, but Eze’s recent displays—particularly in high-pressure fixtures—suggest he’s developing the defensive discipline to thrive in demanding systems.

His nine goal contributions in Palace’s last 12 matches demonstrate growing consistency to complement his flair.

A Defining Summer Decision

As Newcastle’s recruitment team weighs these options, they must consider not just immediate needs but the club’s long-term identity.

Mbeumo would reinforce existing strengths, but Eze could unlock new tactical possibilities—a creative catalyst to complement the midfield destroyers and rapid wingers already at Howe’s disposal.

With Champions League football potentially returning to St James’ Park, the stakes have never been higher. Whether they opt for Mbeumo’s proven productivity or Eze’s game-changing ingenuity, this summer’s marquee attacking signing could determine if Newcastle consolidate their progress or accelerate toward even greater heights.

One thing is certain: in a transfer window brimming with opportunity, the Magpies’ choice between these two exceptional talents will reveal much about their ambitions for the seasons ahead.