Brentford currently sit 11th in the Premier League table, just three points adrift of a UEFA Europa Conference League qualification spot.
Since their promotion in 2021, Brentford have defied expectations by establishing themselves as a regular in the top flight, with an average league finish of 13th.
This stability has been incredible to see, given that their fellow promoted sides from that season have since been relegated and struggled to return.
Brentford’s ability to adapt and maintain their Premier League status is a testament to the club’s forward-thinking approach, both on and off the pitch.
Yet, the 2025/26 season is an important juncture in Brentford’s Premier League journey.
The club now faces a choice: will they remain a solid mid-table side, or can they use this summer’s recruitment window to transition into a consistent top-half team capable of competing for European football?
This opportunity can be supported by the club’s highly regarded data-driven recruitment model, which has been praised for its efficiency and ingenuity.
The data team identifies undervalued talent and integrates them into Thomas Frank’s tactics, which has been a key pillar of Brentford’s success.
However, this progression comes with its own set of challenges.
Brentford’s upward momentum has drawn attention to both their players and their manager, with several key figures now attracting interest from bigger clubs.
Most notably, Bryan Mbeumo appears destined for a high-profile transfer to a top-six side.
The prospective windfall from his sale, alongside other potential departures, presents Brentford with a Liverpool-and-Phillip Coutinho-esque scenario: The chance to reinvest funds into strengthening the squad, raising the overall quality, and increasing internal competition for places.
This analysis aims to provide a detailed evaluation of Brentford’s current squad, offering recommendations for each player regarding retention, sale, or further development.
Players will be categorised and colour-coded according to the recommended course of action.
Additionally, I will propose four targeted signings, including a suggestion to break the club’s transfer record for a third consecutive year.
This is designed to elevate Brentford from mid-table to genuine European contention.
The Current Brentford Squad – 2024/2025
Before diving into potential signings, it’s essential to examine the current Brentford players and their contractual situations, as this analysis forms the foundation for any strategic recruitment or retention decisions.
The table below presents a detailed overview of the first-team squad as of the 2024/25 season, detailing each player’s age, contract expiry date, market value, and primary position.
Through the use of colour coding, the table is a visual summary of contractual security.
What The Colours Indicate:
- Green (2027+): Players with long-term security. They form the backbone of the squad, providing stability and reducing the pressure for immediate negotiations or sales.
- Orange (2026): Medium-term contracts. These players will soon require renewal talks to avoid entering the ‘last two years’ zone, which can weaken the club’s bargaining position and risk losing value.
- Red (2025): Urgent cases – players entering the final year of their deals. The club must decide whether to offer a new contract, cash in or risk losing them for free.
The composition of Brentford’s 2024/25 squad shows a good degree of stability and strategic foresight in contract management.
A clear majority of the club’s key players are secured on long-term deals extending to 2027 or beyond, which forms a strong platform for both on-field continuity and off-field planning.
There are a handful of senior players whose contracts are set to expire in the immediate future.
Players such as Ben Mee and Josh Dasilva are both in the final year of their agreements.
The present squad is also characterised by youth.
Several prominent contributors, including Nathan Collins, Sepp van den Berg, Michael Kayode, and Yegor Yarmolyuk, are 23 years old or younger.
However, Bryan Mbeumo, who is Brentford’s most valuable asset, has a contract expiring in 2026.
This places the club at a crossroads: within the next twelve to eighteen months, they must decide whether to pursue a contract renewal or to consider a high-value transfer while his market worth remains at its peak.
In terms of positional coverage, Brentford’s current squad has depth and contractual security in central defence and midfield.
The attacking midfield and forward positions are also well protected.
The overall picture is one of prudent management.
Based on the contractual situation outlined previously, it is essential to focus on the Brentford players whose contracts expire at the end of this season or the next.
The table below outlines the recommended action plans for each of these cases, taking into account factors such as age, value, homegrown status, squad needs, and the club’s philosophy of sustainable squad development.
Ben Mee and Josh Dasilva are both recommended for release respectively.
Their homegrown status is significant, especially within Premier League squad regulations.
Ben Mee is a leader and positive influence in the dressing room.
However, with his contract expiring and his age, as well as surplus options at centre-back, releasing him is a pragmatic decision that also frees up a wage.
Similarly, Josh Dasilva, whose contract is also set to expire, is not a core member of the current squad.
For players who remain competitive and add tangible value, such as Vitaly Janelt and Rico Henry, the recommendation is to pursue contract renewals.
Janelt is a good defensive midfielder, and renewing his contract is vital to avoid losing him below market value.
Rico Henry, meanwhile, is a good full-back in the squad, and securing his future protects his value and maintains continuity.
There are also players for whom the club should take a proactive stance: Yoane Wissa, for example, is identified as central to Brentford’s attacking plans going forward.
With a major transfer recommended for his strike partner, Bryan Mbeumo (who should be sold if he does not renew, due to his high market value and risk of losing him for less as his contract runs down), Wissa should be offered a contract extension and positioned as the focal point of the attack.
This approach both rewards performance and squad stability during a period of transition.
For younger and developing players, such as Michael Kayode, Ji-soo Kim, and Gustavo Nunes, the action plan is to either monitor progress for potential renewal (in Kayode’s case) or to arrange loans for first-team development.
Brentford Players On Loan Elsewhere
Brentford currently has several players out on loan, each with differing profiles, contract situations, and prospects for first-team involvement.
Mads Roerslev, a 25-year-old right-back, is under contract until June 2026 and currently valued at €8 million.
Despite his abilities, he has not established himself as a starter at Brentford.
Given his market value and relative standing within the squad, the recommended action is to sell Roerslev during the summer window, thereby capitalising on his value while it remains high.
Frank Onyeka, a 27-year-old central midfielder with a contract running until June 2027, is also out on loan.
Although he remains a valuable asset, it is assessed that he does not meet the level required for Brentford’s next phase of progression.
Among the younger players, Matthew Cox, a 21-year-old goalkeeper, is regarded as a promising prospect but is not yet ready for first-team football at Brentford.
His contract runs until June 2028, and the best pathway for his development is a loan to a higher league, ideally within the EFL Championship or a competitive EFL side, to continue his progression with regular senior appearances.
Myles Peart-Harris, a 22-year-old left winger, is also on loan at Swansea City and under contract until June 2026.
He has shown promise during his loan spell, and the club’s recommended action is to extend his contract while arranging another loan.
For goalkeepers Ellery Balcombe and Ben Winterbottom, differing strategies are proposed.
Balcombe, 25, is not projected to become Brentford’s first- or second-choice goalkeeper, and with his contract expiring in June 2027, a sale is recommended to allow both the player and club to move forward.
Winterbottom, whose contract expires in June 2025, should be set to be released, as he is not seen as part of Brentford’s future plans and is out of contract at the end of the current season.
Ryan Trevitt, a 22-year-old central midfielder on loan at Exeter City, has made good progress and is under contract until June 2026.
The recommendation is to extend his contract and arrange another loan.
Finally, Jayden Meghoma, an 18-year-old left-back under contract until June 2028, is considered a good prospect.
However, he requires further senior experience and should be loaned out again.
In summary, these recommended actions are designed to protect Brentford’s asset value and allow young players to gain the experience necessary for first-team contributions.
In line with my recommendations, this is the projected Brentford first-team squad for the 2025/26 season:
As you can see, there is a noticeable absence.
I believe it is in Brentford’s best interest to sell Bryan Mbeumo.
This is because he has proven himself to be one of the best right-wingers in the league; as of writing, he has recorded 18 goals and six assists in just 30 games.
With only one year remaining on his contract, Brentford are not in the strongest negotiating position.
A sale at this point would provide Brentford with valuable funds to reinvest in the squad, as well as the opportunity to reshape the team in line with their future ambitions.
Brentford Transfer Targets 2025/2026
After evaluating the current squad, phasing out those who don’t fit into the long-term plan, and identifying players who should be integrated into the first team, I have identified four key signings for Brentford to target.
I am confident that these additions would elevate the squad to the next level, while also replenishing and restoring depth following the departure of homegrown talents from the starting eleven.
Each of these recommended players brings valuable experience from Europe’s top five leagues, and I believe Brentford can present a compelling case for why they should join the Bees on this journey.
Aaron Ramsdale Scout Report At Southampton
Aaron Ramsdale’s last two years haven’t been easy.
After losing his starting spot at Arsenal to David Raya and a brutal relegation campaign with Southampton, his expected levels have taken an unexpected downturn.
These setbacks have also diminished his chances of staking a claim for England’s number one spot, causing his stock to fall.
Beneath these recent struggles, Ramsdale remains a goalkeeper of genuine quality.
In the right environment, one with a strong footballing structure and a tight-knit squad like Brentford’s, there is every reason to believe he could rediscover his best form.
Ramsdale’s natural communication skills allows him to organise the defence and has the ability to beat the opposition’s press deep in his own third.
At Arsenal, he excelled in many aspects in this regard, proving instrumental in helping his team play out from the back under pressure.
Though he struggled to replicate this success during his time at Southampton, the difference in team structure and quality was apparent.
One of Ramsdale’s key attributes is his ability to act as a modern, proactive keeper.
He is capable of sweeping up behind the defence and distributing the ball comfortably with his feet.
He is arguably more composed with the ball at his feet than Brentford’s current No.1, Mark Flekken.
A move to Brentford would provide Ramsdale with a fresh start and help rebuild his confidence.
Statistically, Ramsdale is highly involved in build-up play, averaging 44.4 touches per game.
This level of involvement is something Brentford could use to become even more ball-dominant.
His short and medium-range passing is sharp, though he can be inconsistent with longer balls when under pressure.
However, Ramsdale can be considered a confidence player — when self-belief is high, his reactions and shot-stopping can be outstanding.
But lapses in concentration or poor judgment have, at times, led to errors.
These mistakes tend to be due to his suboptimal positioning or footwork, leaving him poorly set to react to shots..
It sometimes means overcompensating and leaving himself too central.
Looking at the numbers, Ramsdale’s Post-Shot Expected Goals per Shot on Target (PSxG/SoT) is 0.31, placing him in the 67th percentile among goalkeepers.
This metric estimates the average quality of shots on target he faces and how many he is expected to save.
A higher number often indicates that a keeper is allowing slightly better chances to go in, but also reflects the quality of the opportunities faced.
For comparison, Flekken’s PSxG/SoT is 0.27, suggesting a slight edge in shot-stopping for the current Brentford keeper.
As demonstrated in the match against Tottenham Hotspur, Pedro Porro initially shapes up to deliver an inswinging corner, which would require the goalkeeper to anticipate a ball curling toward the goal.
This would mean forcing the keeper to position deeper and be ready to backpedal in response to the ball’s trajectory.
However, Porro disguises his intent and instead delivers an outswinging cross into the box.
This adjustment changes the dynamic for Ramsdale, who must quickly adapt his stance and positioning.
Outswinging deliveries usually move away from the six-yard area, requiring the goalkeeper to be more aggressive in coming off his line to confront attackers and intercept the ball.
In this instance, Ramsdale reads the flight well and reacts quickly, producing a strong save to deny Brennan Johnson’s header.
Ramsdale’s combination of distribution, proactive keeping, positivity and leadership could be a perfect fit for Brentford’s ambitions.
With the proper support and regular minutes, he has the potential to return to the levels he reached in his first season at Arsenal.
This makes him a compelling target for Brentford.
Dilane Bakwa Scout Report At Strasbourg
The second signing I’m recommending is Dilane Bakwa, who profiles as an ideal replacement for Bryan Mbeumo.
Bakwa has had a breakout campaign at Strasbourg, a club punching above its weight and pushing for European qualification in Ligue 1.
His emergence has caught the attention amid the big names in the league.
Bakwa is primarily plays right wing.
He has also played on the left and taken up central attacking roles in midfield.
He possesses flair and confidence on the ball — he likes taking on defenders, frequently leaving his direct marker behind with a blend of skill and acceleration.
His dribbling is deceptive; he uses his body well to feint and wrong-foot opponents, and beats them from a standing start with excellent close control.
Bakwa is something of a double-edged sword in attack.
He can drive down the byline to whip in crosses, averaging 5.88 crosses per game.
He can also cut inside from the right to create shooting opportunities or thread weighted balls into the box from the half-space.
His dual threat stretches and occupies opposition full-backs, which could invite Brentford’s own full-backs to overlap and exploit space.
As shown in the Ligue 1 fixture against Nantes, we see Bakwa being double-teamed by two Nantes players.
He manipulates the ball to buy himself some space and then plays a great pass to Félix Lemaréchal through a narrow gap.
Statistically, Bakwa has contributed four goals and eight assists in 26 Ligue 1 matches.
He is more of a creative output that, and not quite as prolific in terms of goalscoring as Mbeumo.
Nonetheless, his presence would help distribute the attacking burden across Brentford’s forward line, benefiting the likes of Kevin Schade, Keane Lewis-Potter, and Yoane Wissa.
Looking deeper, Bakwa’s creative influence is shown by his 3.82 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, closely mirroring Mbeumo’s 3.92.
He also draws 2.76 fouls per 90 and completes 2.87 carries into the final third per 90.
In terms of ball carrying, Bakwa can lead counterattacks and drive forward with purpose and composure.
He likes to assess his options mid-run, which deceives defenders into thinking he’s going alone before releasing a teammate at the perfect moment.
While Bakwa’s goal tally may not yet match Mbeumo’s, his creativity make him an exciting outlet.
He has the profile to succeed at Brentford, both as an entertainer and a contributor to the team’s attacking trio.
Dennis Cirkin Scout Report At Sunderland
Dennis Cirkin, Sunderland’s energetic 23-year-old left-back, could be a brilliant signing for Brentford, fitting the club’s ethos of developing young, tactically astute full-backs.
Viewed as a natural successor to Rico Henry, Cirkin does well defensively with his reading of the game, averaging an 2.91 tackles per 90.
He recovers quickly to shut down opposition wingers and is difficult to beat in one-on-one situations.
Cirkin’s attacking contributions would complement Brentford’s system well.
He is comfortable pushing forward with overlapping and underlapping runs to stretch backlines and create wide overloads, which could dovetail nicely with Brentford’s wingers.
While not the most refined player in possession, Cirkin’s ball-carrying is purposeful and he averages 1.3 shots per 90, reflecting a willingness to get into advanced areas and threaten goal, even if his influence in the opposition box still has room to grow.
His crossing can be dangerous, and he draws fouls at a rate of 1.64 per 90 minutes.
In a Championship game versus Preston North End, Tom Watson occupies Kaedyn Kessler-Hayden, drawing the defender’s focus.
Dennis Cirkin identifies the space between them and advances into the left half-space.
After receiving an inward pass, he delivers a well-placed low ball into the box.
Technically, Cirkin is still developing, especially in tight spaces or when playing out under pressure.
Still, his combination of athleticism and tactical awareness gives Brentford a solid foundation to build upon.
One area of concern has been Cirkin’s injury record, particularly with recurring hamstring issues.
Encouragingly, this season he has missed only three games, none due to hamstring or muscular injuries.
Cirkin represents the sort of high-upside signing Brentford could nurture into a Premier League-calibre full-back.
Jacob Ramsey Scout Report At Aston Villa
The final recommendation, and perhaps the most ambitious, is Jacob Ramsey.
Injuries have quieted his profile this season, but Ramsey remains among England’s most exciting young midfielders with the potential to define a team in the same way Morgan Gibbs-White has done at Nottingham Forest.
With the emergence of Morgan Rogers at Aston Villa, now could be the right moment for Ramsey to seek a platform where he’s trusted as a central protagonist, rather than competing for minutes in a crowded yet competitive squad.
Brentford could make an enticing pitch by offering him a mould-breaking, all-action left midfield role.
Technically, Ramsey stands out for his ability to progress play and beat opponents in tight spaces.
He averaged an impressive 60.9 per cent successful take-ons and 2.08 progressive carries into the final third per 90 minutes last season.
These numbers could climb even higher in a system that prioritises his on-ball involvement.
As a left-sided number eight, Ramsey could flourish when given the licence to pick up possession from deep, turn under pressure, and carry the ball through midfield lines.
His bursts into space and composure when driving at defenders make him a persistent threat, while his close control allows him to escape pressure zones.
In a home match against Manchester United, Diego Carlos finds Jacob Ramsey with a pass.
Ramsey receives the ball on the back foot and carries it forward.
He patiently draws in the opposition before threading a smart pass to Alex Moreno, who finds himself in a dangerous position to deliver the ball into the box.
Tactically, Ramsey’s versatility would give Brentford multiple options.
He could operate as a shuttling box-to-box midfielder, linking play and supporting combinations with the likes of Mikkel Damsgaard, Yoane Wissa, Kevin Schade, and Rico Henry, or drift centrally to overload the middle third.
Using Ramsey as a left eight or central midfielder rather than a wide player maximises his influence.
It allows him greater ball time, more opportunities to dictate tempo, and more scope to arrive in the box late, which is one of his best traits.
His ability to press, recover, and recycle possession fits Brentford’s energetic and aggressive style, while his intelligence in timing runs from deep is a welcomed bonus.
Brentford has a record of boosting the profiles of players when they are given the space to maximise their skills and be themselves.
In a matter of two years as the main man, Ramsey could push on and stake his claim for a move to a traditional top-six side.
Jacob Ramsey possesses the technical quality and physical attributes to become a game-changing presence for Brentford if they can secure such a signing.
Conclusion
To sum up, these transfers are realistic as long as the players are convinced by the project and can see Brentford heading in the right direction.
Below is what Brentford could look like in the 2025/2026 season, showcasing a squad that has built on its foundations and now possesses the quality to truly push for a solid top-half finish, aiming for European football or a strong cup run.
Keep in mind that these figures are rough estimates, but they still provide a good sense of the financial value these players could bring to the team.
Of course, there are always outside factors to consider.
