Brentford manager Thomas Frank believes Bryan Mbeumo has a bright future in the game and has backed his new talisman to play at the “highest level”.

The Cameroon international has profited from Ivan Toney’s departure to the Saudi Pro League in the off-season, scoring eight goals in 10 Premier League appearances this term.

Reports in England claim that Mbeumo is a target for Liverpool as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah, who continues to be linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

The 25-year-old winger has become a key figure for the Bees after Frank brought him to the Gtech Community Stadium from Troyes in August 2019 and he’s already on the brink of eclipsing his best return of nine Premier League goals in a season for the West London club.

The Danish tactician has been impressed by Mbeumo’s development and is convinced he will go on to achieve great things.

“I always admire Bryan’s ambition; I’m privileged [that] I was here when we signed him, and I was flying down to Troyes and had a meeting with him and his agent,” Frank said.

“He was a young boy, a young man, at 19. [He] didn’t really speak English, and now he’s 25 and much more mature as a person and as a footballer.

“He’s flying, and I think that development is fantastic. And his ambitions, I love it – you can’t achieve anything without ambitions. So I understand him, and I think he’s got the qualities to play at the highest level.”