Bryan Mbeumo, Rico Henry react to Ivan Toney’s message as Brentford exodus intensifies
Brentford are braced for further bids after the high-profile exits of Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo in successive summer transfer windows.
Mbeumo’s £71million move to Manchester United was finally completed on 21 July after several months of drawn-out transfer negotiations, with Brentford set to earn a guaranteed £65m plus some add-ons.
It’s the second summer in a row that the Bees have lost their main attacking talisman after Toney’s move to the Saudi Pro League in last summer’s window, which saw him join Al-Ahli for £33.6m on deadline day.
Keith Andrews had already lost his captain Christian Norgaard to Arsenal prior to Mbeumo’s big-money exit, and Yoane Wissa could also be bound for the exit door as Brentford‘s nightmare window continues.
Toney ready for Al-Ahli return amid Brentford uncertainty
Mbeumo and Wissa‘s form last season helped Bees fans forget all about Toney, with 39 Premier League goals between them resulting in transfer interest aplenty from multiple clubs in both players this summer.
The Thomas Frank-led Tottenham’s interest in Wissa has caused so much uncertainty that Wissa left Brentford’s training camp in Portugal early, with the Bees potentially set to lose both their top scorers.
Meanwhile, Toney and his Al-Ahli team-mates trained in Como ahead of their return to Saudi Pro League action next month, and the former Brentford striker posted on Instagram (24 July) after the session.
In a message liked by Mbeumo and yet another exit-linked Brentford player in the form of Rico Henry, Toney said: “Time to eat”.
Brentford braced for offers after Toney and Mbeumo’s exits
Football Insider Verdict
Brentford’s frontline attracting attention from the Premier League big-hitters is nothing new given Toney, Mbeumo and Ollie Watkins‘ previous departures, and Wissa could be the next player sold for big money.
Further back in Andrews’ side, Henry’s future is also uncertain after an injury-afflicted couple of seasons, the emergence of Keane Lewis-Potter at left-back and Brentford’s previous interest in Arsene Kouassi.
Andrews’ full focus will be on keeping Wissa amid interest from both Newcastle and Tottenham, but if Brentford lose both him and Mbeumo this summer, there’s no denying that a difficult season lies ahead in West London.