Brentford aces react as training footage emerges amid Wissa absence
Michael Kayode and Yehor Yarmoliuk have responded after new pre-season training footage was released as Yoane Wissa’s future remains up in the air.
Arguably, the biggest losers of the transfer window so far are Brentford after they lost talisman Bryan Mbeumo to Man United.
The Cameroonian was instrumental to the Bees 10th-place finish last season, bagging 20 goals and seven assists in the Premier League last time out.
Whilst his departure netted the west London side up to £71million (Sky Sports), little has been done to replace him.
On top of the forward’s departure, club captain Christian Norgaard has crossed to the other side of London to join Arsenal.
The 31-year-old enjoyed six-years with Brentford but will now work under Mikel Arteta as they seek to finally get their hands on the Premier League title after three successive second place finishes.
The depletion of the Bees squad looks set to continue with striker Wissa linked with a move to Newcastle, with the Congolese refusing to train.
Brentford try to keep moral high
In an Instagram post (28 July) captioned: “Kristoffer Ajer x Keane Lewis-Potter skill school”, footage captures the Dane and the Englishman flexing their skills.
The video did not feature Wissa as new manager Keith Andrews confirmed the 28-year-old returned to London amid the transfer speculation, but will return to training “next week”, as per Sky Sports (26 July).
Despite the ongoing situation, the Bees fold looked upbeat with both Kayode and Yarmoliuk liking the post.
Wissa speculation a cloud over the Brentford camp
Football Insider verdict
Losing Thomas Frank, club captain and Mbeumo this summer is far from ideal but if last season’s second top goal scorer was to leave, relegation could be on the cards.
Although the Bees are often revered for their long-term planning which has seen them become a staple side in the Premier League, this summer suggests otherwise.
The permanent signing of Fiorentina’s Kayode following his short-term loan along with the arrival of Jordan Henderson were positive signs for a productive transfer strategy.
But, sales of big names who have not been replaced haunts the Gtech Stadium, a trend which is rife the last two summer transfer windows.
| Transfer in | Transfers out |
| Jordan Henderson (Free) | Bryan Mbeumo (£65m) |
| Antoni Milambo (£17.3m) | Christian Norgaard (£10.1m) |
| Michael Kayode (£15.2m) | Mark Flekken (£8.7m) |
| Caoimhin Kelleher (£12.8m) |
The previous summer, the sale of Ivan Toney to Al-Ahli was a necessary evil given he had one-year left on his contract.
Yet, the same issue happened to their Cameroon international whose contract was set to expire in June 2026, alongside the Congolese striker.
These poor strategic decisions have left the west London side boxed in a corner, forcing them to sell their big name assets to cash in rather than letting them go on frees.
The number 11 could be the next player to follow in Mbeumo and Toney’s footsteps, leaving Brentford exposed up top.
Whilst Kevin Schade stepped up with 11 goals in the Premier League last season, he cannot be expected to drag his side to survival.
Brazilian Igor Thiago was the replacement for Toney last summer, but injuries cut short his 2024-25 campaign.
Regardless, the red-and-white need to sort out the Wissa situation quickly, whether he stays or goes, to arrange an alternative plan in the new Andrews era.