Brentford's mighty £141m summer transfer window as major Ivan Toney call made in shock prediction

Who knows what will lie ahead for Thomas Frank and Brentford, as they look to move on from an underwhelming season in the Premier League.

Finishing the bottom five of the table certainly was not on the Bees’ agenda when last season got underway in August 2023. The threat of relegation never really seemed genuine but there is little doubt a much improved campaign will be targeted next time out. Frank will hope to play his part during the summer transfer window as he looks to freshen up his squad by making some major calls.

The futures of key forward duo Ivan Toney and Brian Mbeumo will be at the top of the agenda for the Bees boss as both players continue to attract attention from across the Premier League. But how will Frank conduct his business during the close-season. We here at 3AddedMinutes couldn’t wait to find out so we fired up Football Manager 2024 to see how the world’s most popular managerial simulation predicts the summer will play out for Brentford:

Goalkeepers

This is a somewhat underwhelming start to proceedings really. All three goalkeepers current in Frank’s ranks remain in situ - and the only change is confirmation of David Raya’s £27m permanent switch to Arsenal after the Spanish stopper enjoyed a positive season-long loan spell with Mikel Arteta’s side.

Frank’s goalkeeping options: Mark Flekken, Thomas Strakosha, Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson.

Defenders

There was only one departure in the defensive ranks too but it feels significant as Ben Mee joins Premier League newcomers Leicester City in a £1m deal. There are two replacements brought in Spanish centre-back Jose Copete joins in a £2.5m move from Real Madrid and Italian left-back Emanuele Valeri is brought in on a free transfer after leaving Frosinone.

Frank’s defensive options: Nathan Collins, Ethan Pinnock, Jose Manuel Copete, Mads Roerslev, Kristoffer Ajer, Rico Henry, Aaron Hickey, Emanuele Valeri

Midfielders

Dealing firstly with departures, a £15m offer from Fiorentina was enough to tempt the Bees into the sale of Mikkel Damsgaard and Mathias Jorgensen (or Zanka as he’s more commonly known) heads to the MLS in a £1m deal with Montreal. Saman Ghoddos is also given a free transfer and remains without a club. Big money has been spent as the Bees see off competition from six other Premier League clubs to land Birmingham City’s highly-rated midfielder Jordan James in a £19m deal and Lassana Coulibaly arrives in a £6m move from Serie A club Salernitana.

Frank’s midfield options: Christian Norgaard, Matias Jensen, Josh Dasilva, Lassana Coulibaly, Vitaly Janelt, Frank Onyeka, Jordan James.

Forwards

Obviously the big story here is Ivan Toney and whether he leaves Brentford. Just as in the real world, the England striker has interest from the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United - but it is Chelsea that secure his signature in a £45m deal. The hole left behind is partially filled by the £14m arrival of Newcastle United striker Callum Wilson and Frank also spends £11m on Cadiz forward Chris Ramos and brings in Matheus Pereira after the former Sporting CP and West Bromwich Albion star Matheus Pereira is secured on a free transfer after he leaves Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.

Frank’s forward options: Keane Lewis-Potter, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Pereira, Yoane Wissa, Kevin Schade, Callum Wilson, Chris Ramos