Brentford have been proactive in this summer’s transfer window.
The Bees have made incomings their priority, already securing the services of Keane Lewis-Potter, Aaron Hickey, Mikel Damsgaard and Ben Mee for a combined fee of £45.45m (transfermarkt).
Thomas Frank’s squad is healthier than most and with eyes keenly focused on who will follow Christian Eriksen and Marcus Forss out the exit door, reinforcements may be required if summer window slackers tempt key stars away.
Brentford would have to act fast to replace first-team starters, and here are five players already on the radar of the west London club that they could target if the need arose.
Mario Vuskovic
Brentford, along with Celtic and Wolves, were reportedly interested in Hamburg’s young centre-half Mario Vuskovic earlier this summer.
The Croatian made 24 appearances in his debut season for the 2. Bundesliga club on loan, narrowly missing out on promotion after losing the relegation playoff to Hertha Berlin 2-1.
Brentford’s interest in Mario Vuskovic makes sense. Super ball-playing centre-half - takes a nice free-kick too - but HSV would want a lot of money for him. They’ve just lost Vagnoman and fans think for too little money, so nobody else will go on the cheap.
— Seb Stafford-Bloor (@SebSB) July 14, 2022
The 20-year-old impressed with his ball-playing abilities, signing a permanent contract with HSV in March and attracting scouts from Liverpool, Stuttgart and Frankfurt.
The former Hadjuk Split defender would be available for north of €10m, with the German club keen to retain the ‘jewel’ for their latest promotion push this year.
Jannik Vestergaard
With the arrival of Ben Mee last month, Brentford looked to be stacked in central defence.
But with Ethan Pinnock ruled out for the foreseeable and Kristoffer Ajer regularly struggling with hamstring injuries, another centre-half wouldn’t go amiss.
Leicester have rejected a bid from Brentford for Jannik Vestergaard. Defender was signed only last summer but is one of those who Leicester will listen to offers for #lcfc
— Tom Collomosse (@TomCollomosse) July 20, 2022
And Leicester have made Jannik Vestergaard available for approximately £12m, with the 30-year-old desperate for guaranteed game time ahead of the World Cup this winter.
Danish outlet BT reported an approach back in July was rejected by the midlands club, though it is understood they are still open to improved offers.
Kevin Schade
Sky Germany reported a €15m bid from Brentford was rejected by Freiburg for their flying winger Kevin Schade in July.
News Kevin Schade: Freiburg has rejected an enormous offer from Brentford of around €15m transfer fee. Very talented 20 y/o player, one of the fastest player of the Bundesliga. @SkySportDE 🇩🇪
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) July 7, 2022
The 20-year-old was clocked as the second fastest player in the Bundesliga last season, only behind Mainz’ Jeremiah St Juste.
The Liverpool transfer target is adept on the right wing, scoring four goals and impressing with his direct running and excellent ball control.
Said Benrahma
Rumours have rumbled on about the future of former Brentford forward Said Benrahma since April.
🚨Breaking🚨
— Josh Magaro (@PRMercato) July 7, 2022
Brentford in talks to Bring Said Benrahma Back , on loan with option to buy , The player is not in david moyes’s plans #WHUFC #BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/r36St8RLRg
The Algerian joined West Ham for £30m in January 2021, and a sensational return could be on the cards as the Bees look to fill the creative void left by the departure of Christian Eriksen.
The Guardian claimed David Moyes is open to offers for the 26-year-old attacker after the London club signed Maxwell Cornet and Gianluca Scamacca.
Mykhaylo Mudryk
Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk was set to join Bayer Leverkusen this summer, but the deal fell through back in June.
The 21-year-old already rejected moves to Juventus and AC Milan, but confirmed interest from Brentford back in January.
BRENTFORD CONTINUE MUDRYK PURSUIT 📈@tsyganyk reporting that Brentford have re-upped their interest in the Shakhtar winger as Bayer Leverkusen’s hopes wain
— Zorya Londonsk (@ZoryaLondonsk) July 8, 2022
MM did reject The Bees but upon further thought is open to a move to the EPL
SD need funds this summer so open to sell pic.twitter.com/moOCNU1AEO
The Ukrainian was valued at more than £20m at the beginning of the year, but the ensuing war in Eastern Europe has seen that drastically cut.
Talks were held between the player and Brentford representatives in April, and with the transfer window closing, conversations are expected to be reignited.
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