A new era is afoot at Brentford after the departure of long-standing head coach Thomas Frank after he signed a three-year contract with Tottenham Hotspur.
The club prepares for a new season without the 51-year-old at the helm for the first time since 2018 when he was promoted to the role after initially joining the club as an assistant to Dean Smith in December 2016.
His parting gift was an involvement in the deal to sign Republic of Ireland international Caoihmin Kelleher from Liverpool, with the 'keeper penning a five-year contract for a fee of £12 million plus £6 million add-ons.
The 26-year-old became the third permanent signing since the season concluded at Molineux in May to replace Mark Flekken, who joined Bayer Leverkusen on a three-year contract for £8.4 million.
Brentford acted quick to activate the £14 million purchase option of full-back Michael Kayode, who impressed during a six-month loan from Fiorentina, before extending Yehor Yarmoliuk's contract until 2031.
Romelle Donovan signed on a five-year contract as the club activated a reported £3 million purchase option after an eye-catching loan from Birmingham City that saw him excel for the B team.
With the transfer window fully open after a brief one to accommodate the Club World Cup, Brentford now prepare for the new season without one of the most influential figures in the club's modern history.
Disclaimer: this article is written before the appointment of a new head coach and takes into consideration the areas of improvement and tactics used from the 2024/25 season.
Areas to Strengthen
Central midfield
Midfield is one of the most stacked areas in the squad, with Christian Norgaard, Vitaly Janelt, Mathias Jensen, Mikkel Damsgaard, Paris Maghoma, Yunus Konak, Fabio Carvalho, and Yarmoliuk contesting for three spots.
But there is one profile missing that the Bees have lacked since August 2023, when Josh Dasilva suffered the first of back-to-back long-term injuries, and that is an all phases, ball-carrying midfielder.
Brentford require a player that is comfortable receiving the ball on the turn, capable of carrying the ball over large distances, athletic, and able to brush past oppositions' advances.
Feyenoord's Antoni Milambo has been heavily linked with a move to west London by the Dutch media, with 1908.nl reporting he has agreed personal terms with the club, and would be an ideal profile for the squad.
The 20-year-old can play as a six, eight, and a ten, and has exhibited his qualities at the highest level, having faced Manchester City, AC Milan, and Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.
Milambo registered seven goals and nine assists in 43 appearances in all competitions last season, and produced a stunning double against Benfica from midfield in October.
His ability on the ball is eye-catching; effectively using his body, quick feet, and ball control to evade capture before driving into the final third and having the composure and awareness to make the right decision.
The Netherlands Under-21 international averaged 1.84 progressive carries per 90 in the Eredivisie last season, plus 1.91 carries into the final third, 0.77 successful take-ons, and 1.55 shots, as per FBref.
His defensive contribution is just as strong, having the anticipation, aggression, and long legs to make him an effective tackler and interceptor of the ball.
Centre-back
Centre-back is an area that has stabilised since the turn of the year, with Sepp van den Berg and Nathan Collins establishing themselves at the heart of the defence.
The duo are forming a strong partnership and started 14 times together in 2025, helping solidify Brentford's long-standing defensive woes while guiding them to five clean sheets and a10th-place finish.
While it is not a position that requires improvement, it's one that could do with reinforcement due to the decline in performance by Ethan Pinnock, the departure of Ben Mee, and the unreliable fitness of Kristoffer Ajer.
A centre-back composed in possession, capable of passing through the lines, and stepping out with the ball, all while having the traditional aspects of defending the club puts a great emphasis on is desired.
Ipswich Town's Jacob Greaves is a profile that suits Brentford and it is reinforced by *FBref'*s comparison metric likening him to Pinnock, Collins, and van den Berg based on statistics per 90 minutes over the past year.
His numbers were relatively low, despite a positive individual season, as Ipswich were unable to acclimatise to the Premier League, but he excelled for Hull City in the Championship the previous season.
The now 24-year-old won 4.12 aerial duels per 90 during the 2023/24 season, made 4.60 clearances, and 1.77 tackles, while making 3.73 progressive passes and 0.84 progressive carries.
Greaves is a player the Bees have been linked with in the past and he would provide strong competition with the prospect of making a seamless step up should Collins or van den Berg depart at some point.
Right wing
Brentford will be tasked with replacing Premier League Player of the Season nominee Bryan Mbeumo as the 25-year-old edges towards a departure.
Mbeumo far exceeded expectations last season and is now attracting strong interest from Manchester United and reportedly has emerging interest from Tottenham.
Replacing such an influential player will be a huge task and it is important that the club can find a replacement with a similar skillset preferably a left-footed winger than plays on the right.
One that can contribute goals and assists from a wide berth, provide a creative outlet and can influence play anywhere on the pitch, a strong runner in and out of possession, and a willing defensive contributor.
Manchester City's Oscar Bobb and Liverpool's Ben Doak have interest from Brentford, according to Sam Tabuteau, but at 21 and 19 years old, respectively, they post as high-risk, inexperienced replacements.
Celtic's Nicolas Gerrit-Kuhn is a name mentioned elsewhere and has previously been linked with a move to west London; he is a profile that will suit the Bees well having registered 21 goals and 15 assists in 51 appearances last season.
A versatile winger comfortable on either flank, he is a direct runner with or without the ball and is a player that likes to maximise his opportunities inside of the area, averaging a shooting position of 14.2 yards from goal last season.
Kuhn, a former RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich academy player, is well drilled on the defensive side of the game, averaging 2.18 tackles per 90, 0.92 interceptions, and 4.82 ball recoveries in the Champions League last season.
The 25-year-old's combination of quick feet, acceleration, awareness, and balance makes him a difficult winger to contend with, and his presence of mind to get team-mates in behind will suit Brentford's attacking style.
Priority Target: Johan Bakayoko
Brentford's priority this summer should be to acquire someone of similar ilk to Mbeumo and can replicate his contribution, should he leave. That player is PSV and Belgium winger Johan Bakayoko.
The Bees tried and failed to convince the now 22-year-old to move to the Gtech Community Stadium in 2023, with the club reportedly agreeing a £34 million fee but the player wanted to play in the Champions League.
Now an opportunity to try again could present itself to the west London club as Bakayoko has one year remaining on his contract and started just twice in the last 10 Eredivisie matches under head coach Peter Bosz.
Despite falling out of favour, the Belgian was able to showcase his talent throughout the previous months as he contributed 12 goals and three assists in 47 appearances across all competitions.
His goal against Liverpool in the Champions League group phase was an eye-catcher; sitting down two defenders as he shifted the ball onto his right before finding the top corner, firing past now Bees 'keeper Kelleher.
Bakayoko's qualities would see him seamlessly slot into the role as he is very talented in one-on-one situations and an effective ball carrier, averaging 2.68 successful take-ons and 7.41 progressive carriers per 90 in the league, as per FBref.
A left-footed right winger, he would be able invert while an over-lapping full-back like Kayode opens space in the central areas and provide an additional passing option out wide.
In these positions, Bakayoko has the awareness and creativity to open a scoring opportunity for a team-mate, be it through a precision pass or a deft cross with either foot, as he averaged 4.5 shot-creating actions per 90.
He is not afraid to take on a chance himself, notably with a curling effort so often seen by Brentford from Mbeumo, while also having the awareness to arrive at the back post and convert from close range.
A transfer is perhaps slim due to previous rejection and stern competition elsewhere, but securing Bakayoko would be a statement of resilience and the ideal replacement for such an influential player.
Three Potential Departures
Bryan Mbeumo
Mbeumo excelled in the Premier League last season with 20 goals and seven assists in 38 appearances in what could well be his swansong campaign in red and white.
After six years, having joined in 2019 from Troyes for a then club-record fee, and 242 appearances, the Cameroon international looks set for pastures new and is reportedly keen on a move to Manchester United.
The Europa League finalists have had a £45 million plus £10 million add-ons offer rejected by the Bees, according to the Athletic, which is viewed as well below the club's valuation.
He has one year left on his contract, but the club holds the option of an additional 12 months and will seek a fee surpassing their record sale, which was accrued by Ivan Toney's move to Al-Ahli for £33.1 million in 2024.
Paris Maghoma
Maghoma's first season back at Brentford after an impressive loan with Bolton Wanderers in League One has not gone to plan and perhaps fallen well below personal expectations.
The first half of his campaign was disrupted by an ankle injury sustained in the League One Play-Off final defeat to Oxford United in May, and he was unable to make his first appearances until December.
The 23-year-old has accumulated most of his minutes last season playing for the B team in the Under-21 Professional Development League - a level of competition he is far too good for.
It is a possibility he looks for opportunities elsewhere this summer having played under 200 minutes across ten first-team appearances, fallen down in the pecking order, and with potential investment in his position.
Yoane Wissa
The figurehead of an attacking trio that scored a combined 50 league goals between them, Wissa has just produced the best campaign of his career with 19 non-penalty goals and five assists in the top-flight.
The Congolese is another player attracting interest. Nottingham Forest had a £22 million bid rejected in January, according to Sky Sports, and reportedly could return with an improved offer during the off-season.
Arsenal reportedly hold an interest while Sky also report that Frank is keen on a reunion with the 28-year-old at Tottenham, having successfully converted him from a winger to a centre-forward in west London.
While the club will be very reluctant to lose its head coach and top two scorers in the same window, this summer could provide the opportune moment to capitalise on a peak market value and receive a sizeable fee.
Expiring Contracts
Ben Mee will depart the club upon the expiry of his contract at the end of June after after three seasons and 67 appearances in west London.
Josh Dasilva's contract expires this summer but there remains uncertainty over his future as he recovers from a long-term injury.
The club holds the option of an additional year but are yet to activate it; he will continue his recovery at the club but it is unlikely the club will extend with him unavailable since February 2024.
Goalkeeper Ben Winterbottom will also leave the club this summer alongside B team players Max Dickov, Beaux Booth, Vonnte Williams, Adrian Janusz, Max Wilcox, Kerron Samuels, and Yaw Aygei.