'I've played against Man Utd's Alejandro Garnacho replacement - he left us in shock'
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Manchester United may end up striking gold with Alejandro Garnacho's potential replacement if James Maddison's comments are anything to go by. The Red Devils are lining up a blockbuster move for Bryan Mbeumo in the event Garnacho leaves Old Trafford month. Brentford's star man could be available for as little as £40million - roughly the sum United expect to make if they sell their Argentina international, who is heavily linked with a move to Napoli.
Mbeumo, 25, has been on fire this season, notching 13 goals in 21 Premier League games, with just Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland, Alexander Isak and Cole Palmer scoring more. Arguably his finest strike - a blistering volley against Tottenham in September - left Maddison in disbelief, with the England midfielder waxing lyrical about his opponent after the game.
"There was shell-shock around the stadium," Maddison said of Mbeumo's volley scored after just 22 seconds. "We're all looking at each other, 'What do we do now' kind of thing, because you don't plan for that in a game-plan.". Brentford boss Thomas Frank has also been lavishing Mbeumo with praise, and labelled him "a leader in the making" in recent weeks. "He drives training with his attitude and work ethic and determination to want to get better and win," the Dane added to The Athletic, although he's repeatedly ruled out a January exit for his player.
Elsewhere, talkSPORT pundit Jason Cundy dubbed Mbeumo a mini version of Salah, likening his playing style and ruthlessness in the box to the Egyptian. "Mbeumo, I think, when you look at what might happen at Liverpool with Salah… I'm looking at Mbeumo and what he’s capable of," the said. "He's a little mini Salah, off that right hand side, his left foot.".
