Brentford

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The draw for the second round of the Carabao Cup will take place on Wednesday at the conclusion of the first-round tie between Leeds United and Middlesbrough.

Thirteen Premier League clubs will enter in the second round, as will Luton Town and Burnley, who were relegated from the top flight in 18th and 19th positions last season.

The draw for round two will be regionalised into northern and southern sections.

The seven Premier League clubs playing in European competitions in 2024-25, including Carabao Cup holders Liverpool, will come in at the third-round stage.

The key dates for the competition are as follows:

• Second round - w/c 26 August

• Third round - w/c 16 and w/c 23 September

• Fourth round - w/c 28 October

• Quarter-finals - w/c 16 December

• Semi-finals - w/c 6 January (first leg) and w/c 3 February

• Final - 16 March

Follow Wednesday's action and then the full draw here from 19:30 BST

Brentford are holding out for at least £60m for 28-year-old striker Ivan Toney, who is being monitored by Chelsea and Manchester United. (Independent), external

Meanwhile, the Bees are closing in on a deal for 25-year-old Republic of Ireland centre-back Dara O'Shea, which will give Burnley a profit on the £7m they paid to sign him from West Bromwich Albion last year. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Ian Westbrook
Fan writer

Where will you finish in the league and why?

Brentford's fourth season in the Premier League is on the horizon and we feel like an established top-flight club.

Last season's 16th place was disappointing, but to stay out of the bottom three with our horrendous injury list was a huge achievement. I think we will build on that this term and finish 12th - but player fitness is again our big concern for the new season.

At one point last term we had 10 first-teamers sidelined, including full-backs Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey, who have each now been out for almost a year and are still unavailable,

Now new signing Igor Thiago, earmarked as Ivan Toney's replacement, is out until Christmas after damaging his knee on his pre-season debut. This could lead to Toney staying for the final year of his contract.

Who is the best signing or has he not signed yet and who should it be?

While the anticipation of seeing what Thiago can do is now on hold, our only other arrival is a real statement signing - Fabio Carvalho from Liverpool, an exciting player who could make a real impact with the Bees.

He adds to a formidable forward line, even if it is without Thiago short-term and still possibly Toney, alongside Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, Kevin Schade and Keane Lewis-Potter and that is why I think we will finish comfortably mid-table.

What do you want from your manager this season?

We have already got what we wanted from Thomas Frank - the fact he is still with us. Frank was linked with Chelsea and Manchester United over the summer, but thankfully nothing transpired.

Who will be the breakout star in your squad?

This could be a breakout season for Ukraine Under-21 international midfielder Yehor Yarmoliuk. He was involved in the matchday squad for every league and cup game last season - starting seven matches and making 23 substitute appearances. He looked at home in the Premier League with his calmness on the ball and has huge potential.

Ian Westbrook can be found at Beesotted podcast, external

We asked for your views on Brentford signing Fabio Carvalho from Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Brian: Liverpool's loss is Brentford's gain. This young man is quality and Thomas Frank is perfectly suited to developing him to the top of his game.

Darren: This is fantastic news. Great bit of business you Bees! Welcome to the red and white side of west London, Fabio.

Charlie: I do not feel he's the right signing, we need another full-back not a forward. Maybe he will prove me wrong.

Mikhael: Thinking back to how Eriksen lifted the team with his defence-splitting passes, we've got players who can do that but to have one on Carvalho's level is surely what we need to push for European football this season. If we get Europa League football maybe Ivan stays. Big "if" though.

Konstantinos: Great signing. There is good quality up front. But we need some reinforcements at the back now, right and left ideally.

Image source, Getty Images

Fabio Carvalho has completed his £27.5m move to Brentford from Liverpool and will "add that something extra" to the Bees' team, says boss Thomas Frank.

Frank described Carvalho "is a player with a lot of qualities" and added: "Offensively, he has great abilities on the ball; he can go past players, slide a pass, create chances and get on the end of chances.

"He's a type of player that we don't have many of in the squad so he will add that something extra for us.

"His ability and mentality to work hard in the pressure is also very, very good. That's along with him ticking all the boxes from a cultural perspective and being the right character. So we're very pleased to see him come in and push the team forward."

Brentford fans - are you excited by Carvalho's arrival?

Let us know your thoughts, external

After a long summer break, BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club is back in action this evening.

Tune in as the panel cover all the major talking points from the summer and look ahead to Premier League football returning at the weekend.

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Two years on from making the move from Fulham to Liverpool, Fabio Carvalho is back in West London.

Not that his value has plummeted in that time - in moving for a fee of £27.5m including add-ons, Carvalho has cost more than five times the £5m the Reds paid for his services in May 2022.

But that increase is not really due to his performances in a Liverpool shirt. In his first season at Anfield he managed three goals in 21 appearances in all competitions. He started seven games but just four in the Premier League.

Then last season, he struggled for form and consistency during a loan spell at RB Leipzig of the Bundesliga during the first half of the 2023-24 season. No goals or assists and just one league start later, his loan was cut short and he switched to Hull City for the remainder of the campaign.

However, it was there he rediscovered the form that saw him grab Liverpool's attention when nominated for the EFL Young Player of the Season award in 2021-22.

In Liam Rosenior's possession-based system, he revelled when deployed as a central attacker, registering nine goals and two assists in 20 games as the Tigers narrowly missed the play-offs.

The question remains however, can he perform consistently in the top flight?

On the surface Brentford is as good a club as any for a positive answer. After all, the likes of Ethan Pinnock, Rico Henry, Christian Norgaard and Ivan Toney all jumped from the Championship and have looked at home a division above.

However, it has not been seamless for everyone. Despite glimpses, winger Keane Lewis-Potter, who also arrived from Hull has scored just four goals in 47 appearances.

With new £30m signing Igor Thiago set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Carvalho will likely get opportunities from the start of the season and Thomas Frank has a track record of squeezing the most out of his players.

In a different shirt but familiar surroundings, is this Carvalho's time to prove himself in the Premier League?

Image source, Getty Images

The curtain opens on the 2024-25 Premier League season in just a matter of days, so why not take a look at how all 20 clubs performed in pre-season?

The games have been spread across the globe, from Tokyo and New York to Crawley and Preston.

See the results here

Brentford striker Ivan Toney is being looked at by Saudi Pro League clubs, with Al-Ahli keen on the 28-year-old England international. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

It was a pulsating encounter at Gtech Community Stadium on Friday night as Brentford and Wolfsburg shared eight goals.

Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, Mathias Jensen and Kevin Schade were on the scoresheet from the Bees, so does the number of goals encourage you?

But are you concerned about shipping four at the other end?

Let us know your thoughts on the match here, external - and come back on Monday to read the comments

Image source, Getty Images

Brentford and Wolfsburg played out a thrilling 4-4 draw in a pre-season friendly at Gtech Community Stadium.

Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, Mathias Jensen and Kevin Schade were all on the scoresheet for the Bees.

Ivan Toney, whose future remains uncertain, was among the substitutes but came on at half-time.

Patrick Wimmer scored two goals for Wolfsburg, while Maxence Lacroix and Maximilian Arnold also scored.

"We were very positive going forward, very exciting going forward - that's a big plus," said Brentford boss Thomas Frank.

“Obviously we can also see what we need to work on for the next nine days before we face Crystal Palace: defensive set-pieces, that is clear, it’s normally what we’re very good at.

“But it’s nice that the red flag came today and we’ve got the opportunity to sort it out."

Brentford have agreed a loan deal with a clause to buy, which could become mandatory and worth around £10m, to sign 24-year-old Sweden midfielder Jens Cajuste from Napoli. (Fabrizio Romano), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Right now, brinkmanship is the name of the game. There have been times when some clubs sorted their transfer business early in the window and everyone wondered why so few others followed their lead. Put simply, it isn't in the selling clubs' financial interest, and it usually isn't in the moving player's financial interest either, to go early.

A selling club wants a bidding war to up the price and they don't mind a bit of panic buying when the window is creaking ever nearer the sill. If you still haven't signed that star player who you think, hope or maybe even actually believe, will make all the difference, clubs can get twitchy and make rash costly decisions.

I have watched it happen from within. Good intentions and a willingness to stick to a pre-arranged budget, suddenly evaporates when clubs are bounced into making these calls. There is also a bit of pride in there too. "We aren't losing out on our first choice to that lot!" is a common refrain, especially when it's to one of your close rivals.

As for the moving player, or more specifically his agent, last-minute brinkmanship is the dream scenario. Playing two or three suitors off against each other (and you don't even have to tell the truth of what you are being offered elsewhere) means you can exaggerate as much as you like to up the ante.

So that is why the deals go to the wire, and why they are so lucrative. It is also why I never have too much sympathy for a player, when a huge deal falls through at the last moment. Greed can push it too far in the end and it can all come crashing down, which is why they call it brinkmanship! If you dance on the edge of a volcano you might just fall in.

Brentford are close to signing 24-year-old Sweden midfielder Jens Cajuste on loan from Napoli. (Sky Sports), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Midfielder Frank Onyeka is ready to leave Brentford before the summer transfer deadline at the end of August.

The 26-year-old has concerns over a lack of game time in west London under Thomas Frank after failing to get the desired number of starts when returning from an impressive Africa Cup of Nations campaign with Nigeria.

Onyeka is believed to have had options to leave in January, including a loan with option move from Girona, who have since qualified for the Champions League for the first time under City Football Group's ownership.

But different clubs in England, Spain and France are now showing interest in Onyeka on the right terms.

However, it remains unclear what terms would tempt Brentford to sell with a contract until 2027, with an option for an extra year also included in his deal.

Brentford have made a £7m bid to sign Burnley's Republic of Ireland defender Dara O'Shea, 25. (HITC), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Image source, Brentford FC

Long-serving Head of Medical at Brentford Neil Greig has left the club to become Chelsea Women’s head of performance support.

Greig joined the Bees in June 2010 and has played a role in the most successful period in the club's history which has seen them establish themselves as a Premier League team.

Greig has raised over £100,000 for various charities during his time in West London, including for Cardiac Risk in the Young, in memory of former technical director Robert Rowan who died suddenly in November 2018.

"My 14 years with Brentford have been the most rewarding and enjoyable of my career,” said Greig.

"When I walked through the door it was evident that there was a huge project ahead, however there was a clear vision and strategy in place to achieve that and it’s been an incredible journey.

"I’d like to place on record my thanks to the outstanding group of medical and performance staff that I’ve worked alongside during my time at the club along with many others, of whom there are too many to mention them all.

"I’m excited as to what the next chapter of my career will hold but will always look out for Brentford’s results and wish the club ongoing success."

Brentford director of football Phil Giles added: "On behalf of everyone at Brentford I’d like to thank Neil for his outstanding contribution to the club. He has played a significant part in getting us to the Premier League and can be proud of his achievements.

"The role to which he is moving at Chelsea Women is a perfect fit for the next stage of Neil’s career, and we wish him well."

We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's friendly draw between Watford and Brentford.

Here are some of your comments:

Johann: Not the finest of friendly performances by the Bees. Lots of possession but little threat. With a few of the regular team players unavailable lots of the reserves and B team players got opportunities, but none of them really stood out apart from Ryan Trevitt at right-back. Watford’s goal was entirely Flekken’s fault as he was messing about rather than kicking it.

Andy: Despite only the one signing in Thiago, the squad depth looks good enough apart from one glaring problem at full-back. Roerslev does his best but with Henry and Hickey still not fit we risk repeating the same mistake as last season and sides will catch us out. Sign a full-back or two please!

Duncan: I don't know what 11 Thomas Frank will pick for Crystal Palace at the moment because, as always, there are a lot of injuries. We need new players in and as soon as possible.

Paul: I can’t believe we haven’t strengthened. It’s basically the same squad that struggled last season. I fear for the Bees this season, but I hope I’m wrong.

Phil: A good competitive workout and many positives to take into the new season. Defensively solid, midfield creative and the front three dangerous all game. A silly goal to concede but overall a good performance.

Image source, Getty Images

It finished 1-1 at Vicarage Road as Brentford's forward Kevin Schade’s opener was cancelled out by Watford's Moussa Sissoko’s deflected finish.

What did you think about that performance, Brentford fans?

Let us know your thoughts on the match here, external

The Premier League season is fast approaching and clubs are continuing their pre-season preparations.

Here's a look at where teams are in action on a busy Saturday.

Image source, Getty Images

Paris Maghoma has signed a new three-year contract to extend his stay with Brentford until summer 2027.

The central midfielder, 23, is yet to play for Brentford's first team but he made 50 appearances in all competitions while on loan at League One side Bolton Wanderers last season.

Maghoma also scored nine goals and registered seven assists, which saw him named as Bolton's young player of the year.

Bees boss Thomas Frank said: "I'm very happy that Paris has signed a new contract. He has been with the club for quite a while and I have always liked him as a player.

"He has the technical ability and all of the key attributes that you need in the modern game - now it is on him and us to push forward.

"He has developed and matured as a player and a person over these last years, with some great loan opportunities, so it is looking promising for him."