Thomas Frank has admitted that he is concerned that he could lose his key Brentford players and accepts that there will be interest in them, with the likes of Aston Villa and Leeds rumoured to be keen on Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma.
The Danish boss, who failed to guide the Bees to the Premier League on Tuesday, made it clear that it’s ‘natural’ that teams will come hunting, as he told Sky Sports Football (04/08/20 at 11:10 pm).
Villa maintained their Premier League status during the recently concluded season, whilst Leeds returned to the promised land after a 16-year absence.
Frank was asked whether he is concerned about losing his players this summer after they did so well to keep hold of them during the January transfer window.
“Yes, of course, we played a top season,” Frank told Sky Sports. “We have some top players, so of course, it’s natural that there will be interest.
“But for me, I am not thinking about that. I know one thing when we start next season, we will have a very strong side out there again and ready to push.”
The two players that are seemingly on the lips of many supporters are the vibrant attacking duo Benrahma and Watkins.
The Sunday Mirror (02/08 page 66 & 67) have claimed that both Villa and Leeds are keen on Benrahma and Watkins, respectively.
Added with that, following that play-off final defeat for the Bees, the Telegraph now reports that Villa are ready to pounce for £25 million-rated Watkins, whilst the Daily Mail state that Leeds have added their name to the host of clubs who want Benrahma on their books.
Brentford have always been a selling club and it’s highly likely that the above two will leave – they lost star striker Neal Maupay last summer and centre-back Ezri Konsa.
It looks as though it will be a case of who will stump up the big-money for their talents and whether the duo have any preferences of where they want to move.
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