On each Wednesday through the transfer window, the most speculated transfer rumours will be presented and analysed. This week features an Irish centre back from a Premier League club, a former FC Midtjylland central midfielder, and a familiar face...
Incoming rumours
25-year-old Burnley centre-back Dara O'Shea is the headline rumour this week. As part of the team relegated at the end of last season, O'Shea made 33 appearances, scoring 3 goals and registering 4 assists, whilst also earning himself a red card in a 1-0 defeat away at Everton.
There has been a desire in the fan base for a left-sided centre back, and a downside of this transfer rumour is that O'Shea is right-footed. However, O'Shea has 26 caps for the Republic of Ireland and is relatively young for a player with 61 Premier League appearances.
The bigger issue is O'Shea did not stand out last season in a team which bombed out of the division without much of a fight. Our article earlier in the summer reviewed the top performers of Burnley, and he did not make the cut above the likes of Josh Cullen, Sander Berge, and James Trafford.
O'Shea was clocked, however, as the 7th fastest player in the league last season. His availability throughout the season is another plus, and 7 goal contributions means O'Shea was responsible for an impressive 17% of the 41 goals scored by Burnley in the league.
The fee is likely to be in excess of £10m. Burnley themselves paid £7m for O'Shea at the start of last season, and Celtic have been in negotiations for a deal around that mark.
Brentford's offer is higher than Celtic's, and the indications are they will not be drawn into a bidding war, leaving the coast clear for Brentford.
Other sources also claim O'Shea has snubbed Ipswich in favour of a move to Brentford.
Italian media has linked Swedish Napoli central midfielder Jens Cajuste with a move to the club, initially on loan but with an obligation to buy.
The 24-year-old played in central midfield for Napoli last season, but he did not settle in at the club, only completing 90 minutes twice for the club despite making 26 appearances.
Having previously played for Stade Reims and FC Midtjylland, it would be safe to assume the Brentford technical department are well aware of the attributes Cajuste brings.
Looking at statistics, his impact on a game is most similar to Vitaly Janelt, with his most outstanding attribute being duels won in the centre of the pitch.
Cajuste's goal and assist contribution was very limited last season, and indeed he registered only 2 goals and 2 assists for FC Midtjylland in 79 appearances.
Napoli had bought Cajuste for approximately £10m from Stade Reims, and considering it appears he is no longer wanted at Napoli, it would be expected to secure his signature for less than the fee Napoli paid 12 months ago.
Former Brentford loanee and Spurs left-back Sergio Reguilon is one many fans would like to see rejoin the club this summer. He was not included in the club's pre-season tour to Asia, and that all but guarantees he is moving on.
However, Reguilón is not short of suitors and today it is Galatasaray who are leading the race to sign him. Reports during the week suggested Reguilón is only interested in joining a club competing in European football, and preferably the Champions League.
The Turkish club can offer him European football, but it remains to be seen if he wishes to join former teammates Davinson Sanchez and Tanguy Ndombele.
It does however appear unlikely Brentford will be able to tempt the left-back to sign.
Outgoing rumours
The Ivan Toney transfer speculation continues. Considering the injury to Igor Thiago which will keep him out until December, it would appear Ivan Toney will be needed at Brentford.
Most top 6 clubs have ruled themselves out of the running to sign Toney, but it appeared to be a thinly veiled tactic to force the asking price to be reduced. Now Brentford has a genuine need for the England international and a higher fee will be required to tempt a sale.
The two clubs linked most often are Tottenham and Manchester United, but the links are cold. Tottenham appear to be more interested in signing Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth, and Manchester United appear to be focusing on other areas to improve as a priority first.
The BBC has reported Frank Onyeka wants to leave the club, stating a lack of first-team opportunities.
Onyeka feels he performed well at the African Cup of Nations and his should have merited more game-time for the club.
It is reported Girona demonstrated a strong interest in January for his services, and this summer he has plenty of suitors in Spain and France.
Brentford hold the cards in this situation, with the player contracted until 2027, with an extra one-year extension option available to extend his stay until 2028.
Comments