Brentford striker Ivan Toney is facing the prospect of being left in limbo with time running out on a mega transfer. (Mirror), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Southampton (kick-off 15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Frank confirmed that Ivan Toney, who has been linked with a move away from the club, will not play on Saturday, adding: "Ivan is training well and in good spirits. I would be happy to have more questions on Toney next time."
On Aaron Hickey, who has been ruled out for the majority of the season with injury: "I feel for him, first and foremost, he is a young man and player. He has a great future ahead and been unlucky with injuries. A setback we need to overcome and will do everything to help and support him. I desperately wanted him to play for us because he is a very good played. Now we need to find other solutions."
He added: "It is tough, very tough, but that is life and you have setbacks. Sometimes more often than you would like and you have to do everything you can to get through it."
Frank said "general happiness will be the feeling flowing from my body" when the transfer window closes on Friday, but accepted it is "part of football".
On if he is expecting anymore business before the deadline: "We are always looking. If we can find something that can improve the squad in quality and that fits the financial boxes we have, then we could potentially do something. We have had a very good window with four very good signings. Four signings that are for now and the future."
He said the side are "not fully firing yet", adding: "We played three average-plus games. Definitely still players growing into it. We still have some players coming back, some new signings, so I'm still understanding how I will put the best squad out there, how I will use new signings."
On facing Southampton: "We are well aware of what they are capable of. I think they will put up a big challenge for us. We need to hit a top performance with high tempo and high intensity. I'm backing us. If we hit highest level, I back us to win."
On home support: "The Gtech needs to be a fortress. When we are on it and the fans are on it it is a very difficult place to play. I always say that it is a team effort. All of us together need to find that high level of performance."
Image source, Getty ImagesBrentford defender Aaron Hickey is set to miss the majority of the 2024-25 season with a hamstring injury.
The 22-year-old suffered a setback during a training session last week and has undergone surgery.
Bees' head physio Nick Stubbings said: "The procedure involved the removal of the previous repair sutures and making a new tendon repair.
"Now we aim to start afresh and help Aaron return to his previous level of health and performance."
The Scotland international hasn't featured for Thomas Frank's side since October 2023 in a Premier League match against Chelsea.
The transfer deadline is almost upon us, so tell us what you've made of your club's business and if more is needed?
Image source, Getty ImagesBrentford have won their last three Premier League games against Southampton without conceding, and have won both of their last two home games against the Saints 3-0.
Image source, Getty ImagesBrentford boss Thomas Frank on the Carabao Cup win over Colchester United: "We will give it a go [winning the competition]. We definitely want to go on a cup run but who knows whether that will happen. In the last 10 years it is only the big boys that have won the League Cup so it is really difficult.
"But it is always about finding a balance between giving players minutes and having an opportunity to play, with being strong to go on the cup-run."
On goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson's performance: "He did very well. What an experience for him. Especially because early doors you have a big scare because of the physicality in aerial duals. I thought he adjusted well and then dominated his box. He made a winning save on the penalty so a fantastic debut!"
Image source, Getty ImagesThe draw has been made for the Carabao Cup third round, with 17 Premier League clubs having made it through or entering at this stage.
There are three all-Premier League fixtures, including holders Liverpool hosting West Ham in a repeat of last season's quarter-final.
Ties will be played in the weeks commencing 16 September and 23 September.
All the fixtures featuring top-flight sides are shown below:
AFC Wimbledon v Newcastle United
Arsenal v Bolton Wanderers
Brentford v Leyton Orient
Brighton & Hove Albion v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Chelsea v Barrow
Coventry City v Tottenham Hotspur
Everton v Southampton
Liverpool v West Ham United
Manchester City v Watford
Manchester United v Barnsley
Preston North End v Fulham
Queens Park Rangers v Crystal Palace
Walsall v Leicester City
Wycombe Wanderers v Aston Villa
Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesBrentford rode their luck at both ends of the pitch to reach the third round of the EFL Cup at League Two Colchester’s expense.
At the end of a disjointed, uneventful first-half at the Colchester Community Stadium, Keane Lewis-Potter slotted the Bees ahead after Aaron Donnelly had gone to ground under Kevin Schade's challenge.
Colchester's defenders all looked up, expecting the referee to award the home side a free-kick, but Paul Howard kept his whistle from his lips as Lewis-Potter celebrated - looking slightly sheepish - with team-mate Fabio Carvalho.
Having taken the lead in controversial fashion, the Bees failed to add to their advantage in the second half and almost paid the price when Colchester were awarded a late penalty for Frank Onyeka's foul on Mandela Egbo.
An equaliser would have sent the tie to penalties, but Jack Payne's low effort was saved by goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson as Thomas Frank's team held on.
Brentford striker Ivan Toney, who is yet to play for the Bees this season, was again left out of the matchday squad by Frank. The 28-year-old striker has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, while Chelsea are also reported to be keen on securing the frontman's signature before the summer transfer window closes on Friday.
Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?
What did you make of your team's performance, Brentford fans?
Come back to this page on Thursday to find a selection of your replies.
There are eight Premier League teams in action on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction.
And listen to BBC Radio 5 Live match commentary of Nottingham Forest v Newcastle on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesBrentford boss Thomas Frank says he is "very excited" to have secured the signing of Gustavo Nunes from Brazilian top-flight side Gremio.
The 18-year-old forward has joined the Bees on a six-year-deal, with the option to extend for a further two years.
"I am very excited that we have managed to sign Gustavo," Frank said. "It is another good signing; we have fought with other clubs.
"He is a winger who can go past players one-on-one. He is direct and he can create.
"Gustavo has a lot of potential and of course we need to maximise that in every aspect. He needs time to settle, but this is a very exciting signing."
As transfer deadline day looms, what do Brentford need to do before it's too late? Or are you happy with where things are up to?
Image source, Getty ImagesThe draw for the third round of the Carabao Cup will take place on Wednesday at the conclusion of the second-round tie between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United.
The seven English clubs involved in European competitions this season, including holders Liverpool, will enter at the third-round stage.
Ties will take place on weeks commencing 16 and 23 September.
Because there are rounds of Champions League and Europa League fixtures also scheduled for those two midweeks, the six clubs involved in those competitions - Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham and Manchester United - will be kept apart to ensure they can fulfil their Carabao Cup tie in the alternate midweek to their European fixture.
Those six clubs will take part in a pre-draw before Forest v Newcastle to decide if they will be at home or away in the third round, with a main draw determining the 16 ties later in the evening.
Should Chelsea progress to the next phase of the Conference League, they will not be in action in that competition again until the start of October.
Image source, Getty ImagesBBC Sport football news reporter Nick Mashiter says Ivan Toney "has got a lot of thinking to do" in the remaining days of the transfer window.
Does he stay at Brentford and run his contract out, or does he make the switch to Saudi Arabia?
Chelsea are also the latest Premier League club to register their interest in him in recent days.
"You have to look at the long-term prospect and if he wants to stay in the England squad then we have seen what happened to Jordan Henderson," Mashiter said on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"The standards will be lower over there [Saudi Arabia], but if he goes to Chelsea then he is still here playing at a top level and will be someone Lee Carsley will consider.
"But there is still every chance he stays at Brentford and sees his contract out. Then he can have the pick of the clubs next summer without the £50m price tag around his neck.
"He has got a lot of thinking to do, and while he is still playing at Brentford and in the Premier League, he is still in a really good position. It should not be overlooked that if he chooses to stay he has still got the opportunity to impress and have the pick of many sides next summer."
Chelsea have made a move to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney, though the Blues will not be able to match the wages on offer from Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli. (Sky Sports), external
Toney could reportedly earn up to £400,000 a week in Saudi Arabia. (Mail), external
Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Brentford boss Thomas Frank has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Carabao Cup second-round tie at Colchester United (19:45 BST kick-off).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
New signings Fabio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg will start against Colchester, with Yunus Emre Konak and Ji-soo Kim also available.
Frank said "we have nothing to say" about striker Ivan Toney amid ongoing transfer rumours and he "didn't know" about a reported bid from Nottingham Forest for Yoane Wissa being rejected on Tuesday morning because he was "out training".
On Gustavo Nunes, who the Bees have been linked with: "Guiding principles is a nice way of putting it, no matter what way it goes. I only talk about players in depth after we sign them but there has been a lot of rumours about him."
He said Brentford "really want to go on a cup run" this season but Colchester will be "tricky and difficult" opponents.
On their chances of winning the competition: "It is becoming more and more difficult for smaller clubs to compete against bigger clubs and that is not a good trend."
On what he expects from the League Two opposition: "They will set the team up to do everything they can to disrupt us. It is up to us to be on it and perform and do our best to win. We lost to Gillingham last year and so I am fully aware of what is waiting for us. It will be difficult."
He said his side are "feeling good" following the defeat at Liverpool on Sunday. Frank added: "Looking back, there were bits where we need to do better but there were also a lot of positives against a very good Liverpool side at Anfield."
Follow the rest of Tuesday's football news
Ian Westbrook
Fan writer
Maybe I should stop going to watch Brentford play at Anfield.
I’ve now been to six Bees games there – we’ve lost the lot and not scored a single goal, at least not one which has been allowed anyway.
Sunday’s match with Liverpool had a feeling of inevitability about it from the minute Luis Diaz put them in front early on.
Despite the goal, Brentford matched our hosts in the first half, but sure enough the Reds stepped it up after the break and at 2-0 it was game over.
Even though it is our fourth season in the Premier League, games like this are still special for many of us longer-term Bees fans. After years of watching us in the lower two divisions, to see Brentford play in one of the world’s most famous stadiums in front of 60,000+ fans has a magical feeling about it, even if you know that nine times out of 10 we are going to lose.
As we already had three points in the bank from the win over Crystal Palace, and also because it was early in the season, there was no pressure on the Bees on Sunday, and that was reflected in our early play.
That relaxed feeling was also evident on the touchline, where our recent signings from Liverpool – Fabio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg, who both started on the bench – hugged and chatted to their old team-mates as they all warmed up on the touchline.
Both could play a big part in red and white stripes this season.
Find more from Ian Westbrook at Beesotted podcast, external
Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesFrank Onyeka wants to leave Brentford but will need to be permitted to exit on loan if he is to pursue interest from Spanish clubs, including Valencia, before the transfer deadline.
As it stands, the 26-year-old Nigeria midfielder, who is seeking more game time away from west London, would only be allowed to leave on a permanent transfer.
Valencia, Valladolid and Las Palmas have all registered serious interest in Onyeka - who made late substitute appearances against Crystal Palace and Liverpool this season.
But the three Spanish clubs can only afford to sign him on a season-long loan deal and would also need help to pay a portion of his wages.
Italian club Lecce and Russian giants CSKA Moscow have also made loan bids in the past few months.
Onyeka’s primary motivation to leave Brentford is to become a regular starter after over a year on the bench under manager Thomas Frank.
Brentford have opened talks with Besiktas over English midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, 31, with Ajax also interested. (SportsDigitale - in Turkish), external
Brentford are interested in Fiorentina right-back Michael Kayode, although other clubs also want the 20-year-old. (Sky Sports), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesThomas Frank says a cup run is a priority for his Brentford side this season.
In Frank's time in west London, Brentford have reached the semi-finals and quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup, and they start their latest campaign at League two outfit Colchester on Wednesday.
"It ranks high," Frank said. "It's a tournament we have done well in. We really want to go on a cup run. We play three games this week so, of course, I will use the squad but I will play a strong team.
"I want to progress, with all due respect to Colchester, who I know will do everything they can to win the game."
We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Liverpool and Brentford.
Here are some of your comments:
Liverpool fans
Ken: A composed performance against an obdurate opponent. Unlike yesteryear, there wasn't any chance of this Liverpool team relinquishing control inexplicably, as the passing and movement was efficient throughout. I quite enjoyed seeing out the game with minimum fuss. Whilst the tempo is quite measured, the dizzying attacking gear is still a sight to behold!
Marilyn: Some beautiful moves and great football! I would have liked more threats on goal late on, with other teams scoring big, but we seemed to settle for two goals instead.
Rex: Brilliant in parts - slick and fluid. We thoroughly deserved the points. My one criticism would be that we need to develop more of a killer instinct. We need to go for the jugular rather than over passing to each other in midfield. I can't help but think that Manchester City would have put more than two goals past them. Nevertheless, very encouraging and often very entertaining.
James: Encouraging start but, with all due respect to Ipswich and Brentford, the fixture list has been kind to us. Harder tests are coming up! We need our two second-half performances for the full 90 minutes - and let's stop talking about the difference between Slot and Klopp!
Brentford fans
Cliff: We were outmatched. We kept running into cul-de-sacs while Liverpool got the upper-hand with their wide passes. I can't believe I'm saying this but Mark Flekken kept us in this game. When are we going to make better use of our midfield talent like Damsgaard and Carvalho?
Jonathan: The Bees can hold their heads up high. There were some good performances and we created problems for Liverpool. Even after going 2-0 down, we didn't let our heads drop. Lots of teams will get nothing on trips to Anfield, so I think Thomas' boys can still look forward with confidence.
Nick: The Bees did well but were hampered by their own pink kit and a referee who gave most 50/50 decisions to Liverpool. The Bees will play worse and win this season - 2-0 away at Anfield is no disgrace.
