Keith Andrews, Head Coach of Brentford, looks on prior to the the pre-season friendly match between Brentford and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Gtech Community Stadium on August 08, 2025 in Brentford, England.placeholder image
Keith Andrews, Head Coach of Brentford, looks on prior to the the pre-season friendly match between Brentford and Borussia Moenchengladbach at Gtech Community Stadium on August 08, 2025 in Brentford, England. | Getty Images
Brentford and Newcastle United are both said to be in talks with a Ligue 1 striker
It has been a summer of change at Brentford as they prepare to kick off their 2025-26 Premier League campaign at Nottingham Forest on Sunday afternoon.
Keith Andrews will take charge of his first competitive game since being appointed as Thomas Frank’s replacement while the likes of Jordan Henderson, Caoimhin Kelleher, Michael Kayode and others are in line to make their competitive debuts.
He missed the club’s final pre-season friendly against Borussia Mönchengladbach on Friday but has been welcomed back to training after leaving the club’s training camp in Portugal amid the speculation over his future.
While the saga around Wissa continues, there are reports in France that Brentford and Newcastle are targeting the same striker - but the Bees are said to be more advanced in their talks.
Brentford and Newcastle in talks to sign Arnaud Kalimuendo
According to L’Equipe, Brentford and the Magpies are both in talks to sign 23-year-old Stade Rennais striker Arnaud Kalimuendo. He did not play in the club’s final pre-season outing on Saturday as they drew 2-2 with Genoa.
His manager Habib Beye said afterwards: "I have to anticipate certain things. If things change, we have to be able to see other solutions. For now, Arnaud is a Stade Rennais player, whom I consider 100% committed to this club, but I have to be able to anticipate in case something happens before the Marseille match.”
The report from L’Equipe says the player has already rejected the chance to move to newly-promoted Leeds United with both Brentford and Newcastle in talks. The Bees discussions are “more advanced” to sign the striker who is under contract until 2027.
The 23-year-old scored 17 goals and provided three assists in 33 Ligue 1 games last term. He has made a total of 112 appearances for the club since joining from Paris Saint-Germain three years ago. He also has first-team experience from two loan spells at RC Lens from his time at PSG.
Nathan Collins reflects on being handed captaincy
Nathan Collins will captain Brentford against Forest on Sunday after being named the club’s new captain following Norgaard’s departure.
"It’s a proud moment for myself, for my family and for everyone who has put in the work for me since I was a kid," said the Bees' new skipper.
"I’ve known Keith for a long time, he’s been my coach for many years in the Irish set-up as well. Any conversations we have are always really fluid, open and honest.
“I know him really well. I’ve always got on with him really well and he’s always tried to help me as a player.
"Once he asked me, I was buzzing. I would never say no to an opportunity like that. This club has given me plenty of opportunities so to be able to do this now is unbelievable."
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