As we close in on the new year, so too do we draw ever nearer to the January transfer window – which for Brentford could prove particularly busy.
The Bees have enjoyed an acceptable campaign thus far, sitting 11th after 16 games, sandwiched in the table between west London rivals Fulham and Chelsea.
However, their season has been plagued by injuries, with Thomas Frank forced to get creative to plug the gaps in his team.
Top scorer Brian Mbeumo is the latest to join the club’s lengthy injury list, and fans are beginning to fret if their side has the attacking firepower to keep their heads above water this season.
And with Ivan Toney heavily touted to mark his return from his eight-month suspension with a move to one of the big six, Frank looks set to dip into the transfer market to prepare for life without his talisman.
With that, here are five players Brentford could look to recruit next month.
Brandon Vazquez, FC Cincinnati
United States international Brandon Vazquez is the first name on the docket for prospective attacking incomings.
According to the Telegraph, Frank is keen to bolster his forward ranks even if Toney remains at the club.
Vazquez is on the list of potential successors to Toney’s throne, having scored 36 goals over the past two seasons in the MLS.
Having broken into the USA squad since missing out on selection for the Qatar World Cup, he has attracted interest from across Europe, with numerous Bundesliga clubs also interested, along with La Liga outfit Real Betis.
Assane Diao, Real Betis
Speaking of Betis, Brentford are reportedly eyeing up the club’s teenage prodigy, Assane Diao.
A right-footed winger that predominantly plays on the left, Sky Sports reports that the Bees have been impressed by Diao’s breakthrough this season, with the 18-year-old bagging six goals in 19 appearances across all competitions for Betis.
Having also made his debut for Spain under-21s this term, Diao has attracted vast interest from across Europe.
The youngster’s current deal at Betis runs until 2027, meaning Brentford would likely have to spend a pretty penny to prise him away from Los Verdiblancos.
Serhou Guirassy, VfB Stuttgart
Brentford are among the vast Premier League contingent that is in the race for prolific Stuttgart forward Serhou Guirassy.
Guirassy has been European football’s surprise package this season, having scored a whopping 16 goals in 12 appearances for Stuttgart, only sitting behind Harry Kane in the Bundesliga’s scoring charts.
And according to 90 Minutes, the Guinea international has a release clause of just £15.2 million in his contract, attracting interest from the likes of West Ham, Fulham, Crystal Palace,, and Bournemouth.
There is also a lot of European interest in Guirassy, with struggling giants Olympique Lyonnais and Ajax also keeping tabs.
Guirassy has the potential to be one of the bargains of the season and seems a worthy replacement should Ivan Toney depart, but the Bees have their work cut out if they are to beat off such immense competition for his signature.
Johan Bakayoko, PSV Eindhoven
Johan Bakayoko is a familiar name to Brentford fans, having been linked with the Belgian winger for much of the summer.
The club reportedly worked right up until the September deadline trying to sign the highly-touted 20-year-old, but to no avail.
However, according to Sky Sports, Brentford are prepared to reignite their pursuit of Bakayoko, with the PSV star remaining on Brentford’s wish list.
They face strong competition from a number of Europe’s elite, with Liverpool and Tottenham among the clubs reportedly in the hunt.
Papa Gueye, Marseille
Turning to midfield reinforcements, Brentford is said to be interested in Marseille midfielder Papa Gueye.
The 24-year-old has silverware to his name, having been part of Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad since 2021.
Gueye also came through the famed Le Havre Academy, which produced global stars such as Riyad Mahrez, Dimitri Payet, and Paul Pogba.
According to Football Insider, the Bees face competition from Premier League trio Fulham, Nottingham Forest, and Burnley for the midfielder’s signature.
However, Gueye has only just returned to action after a four-month suspension, which he received for breaching his contract with Watford in 2020.
A bit too close to home for Brentford fans, that.
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