Brentford secure 4-2 friendly win over Rennes 4-2published at 20:00 BST 8 August
20:00 BST 8 August
Image source, Getty Images
Brentford beat Ligue 1 side Rennes 4-2 in an entertaining pre-season friendly in France on Saturday.
Igor Thiago made his first appearance following his World Cup exploits with Brazil and opened the scoring by heading in a Mathias Jensen corner after 20 minutes.
The Bees doubled their lead from another corner ten minutes later, as Ethan Pinnock headed in from Vitaly Janelt's delivery.
Rennes pulled one back less than a minuted after half-time but Brenford restored their lead almost immediately with Dango Outarra turning home from new signing Callum Wilson's low ball in.
Wilson turned from creator to finisher two minutes later with a fine low strike into the far corner, before Rennes pulled another goal back to complete the scoring.
Morgan, who has represented Wales up to Under-19 level, scored three goals in 21 League Two appearances during a loan spell with Shrewsbury Town last season.
"He's a player we've admired for a while and somebody we believe has enormous potential," boss Dave Artell told the club website.
Gossip: Brentford eye Sporting winger Catamopublished at 08:20 BST 7 August
08:20 BST 7 August
Sunderland are in pole position to sign Mozambique winger Geny Catamo from Sporting Lisbon, with Brentford, Aston Villa and Everton among the clubs with an eye on the 25-year-old. (Teamtalk), external
What are the new financial rules Premier League clubs must stick to?published at 06:46 BST 6 August
06:46 BST 6 August
Katharine Sharpe and Simon Casson BBC Sport senior journalists
The 2025-26 Premier League and Championship seasons included the introduction of squad-cost ratio rules on a shadow basis, testing to see how a spending cap for squad costs set at a percentage of a club's total revenues might work.
These SCR regulations have now been permanently implemented for the 2026-27 season, replacing previous profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
Uefa has a 70% SCR cap for European competitions, so Premier League clubs who qualified for Europe fall in line with this limit.
Clubs who did not qualify for Europe, and so are only taking part in domestic competitions, are capped at 85% of their total revenue.
However, clubs can spend above the 85% limit by using a multi-year rolling allowance of 30%. This allows them to invest ahead of revenue and variance or sporting underperformance.
Every club will start this coming season on 85% + 30% allowance, so effectively 115%.
If a club spends 105% on their squad in 2026-27, it means they have used 20% of their allowance, and for 2027-28 their maximum spend before potential sporting sanction is 95%.
If a club spend less than 85%, they can increase the allowance again to the maximum of 30%.
Spending above 85% but under the allowance results in a financial penalty, whereas going over both the 85% and the allowance will land the club a fixed six-point deduction which increases by one point for every £6.5m spent over the 115%.
'Anchoring' was also trialled in 2025-26, which meant any club's spending could not exceed a multiple of income earned by the bottom-placed club - however this was rejected at a vote of Premier League clubs.
SCR was approved by a vote of 14 clubs to six, and was introduced alongside sustainability and systemic resilience (SSR) regulations.
SSR involves three tests that are applied throughout the season:
Working capital test - assesses short-term cash resources
Liquidity test - assesses medium-term liquidity and resilience
Positive equity test -assesses long-term financial health
The aim of the SCR and SSR regulations is to stop the richest owners providing endless funds to their clubs to sign new players, as any money injected this way does not count as seasonal revenue.
They will also aim to prevent clubs from overspending and accruing unmanageable losses.
Sangare makes debut as Brentford hit four goals past Wycombepublished at 18:28 BST 5 August
18:28 BST 5 August
Image source, Getty Images
Brentford record-signing Mamadou Sangare was handed his first playing minutes in a behind-closed-doors victory over Wycombe Wanderers at Jersey Road.
The 24-year-old central midfielder was substituted on for the second half and featured for a full 45 minutes as the Bees took a 4-1 win over their League One opposition.
Brentford started off brightly with Vitaly Janelt opening the scoring inside 25 minutes and Dango Ouattara doubling their lead just 11 minutes later with a tap-in from close range.
Wycombe centre-forward Emre Tezgel grabbed a goal back early in the second half, before Brentford summer signings Jaidon Anthony and Callum Wilson linked up to make it 3-1.
Keane Lewis-Potter's 89th-minute right-footed curler topped off a winning afternoon for Keith Andrews' side, who will now look forward to a pre-season friendly against Rennes at Roazhon Park on Saturday (17:00 BST).
A youngster to watch - Kaye Furopublished at 08:50 BST 4 August
08:50 BST 4 August
Michael Emons BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
In January, Brentford paid £8m to sign Belgian striker Kaye Furo from Club Brugge.
A 6ft 3in quick and powerful striker, Furo had played in the Champions League against Arsenal before moving to west London with Bees boss Keith Andrews saying: "Kaye is someone we have tracked for a while that we are really excited about bringing to the club.
"His attributes are ones I like and feel we can develop within the environment we have created. I have no doubt he will be a big player for us."
Furo played two FA Cup ties for Brentford before making his Premier League debut in May, coming on as a late substitute in a 3-0 victory over West Ham, and Andrews will be hoping for a big season from the 19-year-old.
Is building a new stadium a way around spending rules?published at 08:22 BST 4 August
08:22 BST 4 August
Should a club build a new stadium or upgrade its current home in a bid to maintain some history? How significant is a new ground in terms of revenue generated? Will it move the needle?
BBC Sport has worked with football finance expert Kieran Maguire to consider the impact a new home has.
Brentford defender McManus joins Gillinghampublished at 20:10 BST 3 August
20:10 BST 3 August
Image source, Shutterstock
Image caption,
Conor McManus never played for Brentford's first team
Gillingham have brought in defender Conor McManus for an undisclosed fee from Premier League side Brentford.
The 22-year-old did not play a first-team match for the Bees after moving from Irish side Bray Wanderers.
Left-back McManus is a former Republic of Ireland Under-21 player and will be available to make his Gillingham debut in their EFL Cup tie at home to Luton Town on Saturday (15:00 BST).
Sangare's 'exactly what Brentford have needed' published at 12:36 BST 3 August
12:36 BST 3 August
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on Brentford's latest signing Mamadou Sangare, who has joined from Lens for a club record fee.
Here are some of your comments:
Alan: An athletic, ball-winning defensive midfielder, who can also bring the ball forward quickly, is exactly what Brentford have needed for a couple of seasons. Sangare is young yet made the Ligue 1 team of the season. He ticks all the boxes and could prove to be an inspired signing.
Phil: It's a very exciting signing and statement of intent. Hopefully, it will be as important as Ngolo Kante was for Leicester City. Replacing a waning talent in Jordan Henderson with a player on the up is fantastic.
Will: He seems like a great signing, particularly with Henderson's departure. Seems like he could challenge straight away for a starting role, given the high level he's played at. He's young with room to grow still - a very Brentford choice! Excited to see him play.
Rex: First time since we got promoted that the first choice midfield three won't be any players that helped us come up. Sangare, Antoni Milambo and Mikkel Damsgaard. Even if we have the injuries of last season in midfield, we are much stronger in that area. We need to push for Europe as teams playing in it this season will struggle in the league.
'Humble but determined' - what do you make of Brentford's record signing?published at 18:03 BST 1 August
18:03 BST 1 August
Image source, Getty Images
Brentford head coach Keith Andrews says club-record signing Mamadou Sangare "fits everything we want from a player".
The Lens midfielder, who was included in Ligue 1's 2025-26 Team of the Year, has signed a five-year contract with a club option for a further year.
Sangare made 33 appearances in all competitions last season, helping Lens to a second-place finish in Ligue 1 and to a first-ever Coupe de France title.
"He is a player we have tracked for quite some time," Andrews said. "He has been on our radar and he was a player we were really keen to bring in.
"Last season was a huge one for him, following a couple of loan spells during which he developed.
"He performed at such a consistently high level at Lens and added to that was his form for Mali, where he has become a really key player."
Sangare featured for Mali throughout the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, playing in each of his country's matches en route to the quarter-finals.
"He is a player that adds to a really good midfield that we already have," Andrews added. "He also adds qualities that we don't have. He complements the current midfield.
"He fits everything we want from a Brentford player, on and off the pitch. He will be a player that I think will be very popular with the fans.
"From the conversations I've had with him, he is very keen to be here. He is a humble young man, but he is equally as determined to succeed in his career."
What do you make of the club-record signing? Will Mamadou Sangare strengthen Keith Andrews' team?
Gossip: Lens midfielder Sangare set to replace Hendersonpublished at 08:16 BST 30 July
08:16 BST 30 July
Brentford are close to signing Lens and Mali midfielder Mamadou Sangare, 24, as a replacement for Jordan Henderson. (Evening Standard), external
Brentford have knocked back a permanent bid from Celtic for defender Benjamin Arthur, 20, who spent last season on loan at Parkhead. (Richmond and Twickenham Times), external
Henderson bids farewell to 'ambitious and progressive' Brentfordpublished at 14:55 BST 29 July
14:55 BST 29 July
Image source, Getty Images
Jordan Henderson says he leaves Brentford "with a lot of pride and some great memories" after reaching a mutual agreement with the club to terminate his current contract.
"I leave Brentford with a lot of gratitude for the opportunity the club gave me and for the support and care shown to me and my family from day one," Henderson wrote on X, external.
"Coming back to the Premier League was really important to me, and Brentford gave me that chance. I will always be thankful for that.
"I hope I was able to play my part in helping the team through an important period for the club. We achieved a lot together last season and it is something everyone involved should be proud of.
"Brentford is a special football club. It is ambitious, progressive and full of good people. From the owners and the leadership to the coaching staff, the players and everyone behind the scenes, it has been a privilege to be a part of it.
"Most of all, I would like to thank the supporters. Their backing never changed and the connection they have with the club is clear to see. They care deeply about Brentford and they support the team in the right way, every step of the journey.
"Finally, thank you to every member of staff and all of my team-mates. It has been a pleasure to work alongside you. I will look back on my time at Brentford with a lot of pride and some great memories."
Henderson leaves Gtech Community Stadium having registered one goal and three assists in 34 appearances across all competitions.
It is fair to say fans are split on the situation, with one supporter commenting: "The difference between what Brentford will lose by letting Henderson leave and what Chelsea would gain by signing him is massive."
Henderson made 22 starts in 34 appearances for the Bees last season across all competitions, playing 56% of the possible minutes, scoring one goal and contributing three assists.
The England international was a key figure on and off the pitch as Keith Andrews' side made a push for the European football spots but ultimately fell short on goal difference.
He offered a solid presence in midfield, playing most frequently alongside Vitaly Janelt, Yehor Yarmoliuk and Mathias Jensen, and averaging more passes per 90 minutes in the Premier League than any other Brentford player (54.2).
Interestingly, Andrews doesn't currently have much depth in that area of the pitch with Henderson, Janelt and 20-year-old Yunus Konak making up the core of his defensive midfield options.
So, with all things considered, Brentford's hunt for appropriate reinforcements should already be underway - irrespective of whether Henderson heads through the exit door this summer.
Referees call for VAR tweakpublished at 07:23 BST 29 July
07:23 BST 29 July
Image source, Getty Images
Video assistant referees should only be used to change "blatantly incorrect" decisions and clear missed incidents, say European refereeing officials.
Chief refereeing officers from all 55 European national football associations met last week with Uefa refereeing officials and a representative from the International Football Association Board (Ifab) to address recent changes to the game's laws.
Attendees said "lengthy, microscoping reviews" indicate VAR has gone beyond its original scope.
When VAR was added to the laws of the game in 2018 by football's rulemakers Ifab, its "philosophy" was "minimum interference - maximum benefit", with the intention of reducing "unfairness caused by clear and obvious errors or serious missed incidents" relating to goals, penalties, direct red cards and mistaken identity.
Uefa said that at its recent meeting that refereeing bosses agreed a return to those original aims is needed.
"It was reiterated that, in accordance with protocol, VAR must only intervene in situations of 'clear and obvious' error, ie. when a referee decision is blatantly incorrect or when the referee has missed a clear incident," Uefa said in a statement.
"VAR is not meant to re-referee the game, it is an essential support to the referees, who must remain at the centre of all decision-making.
"Lengthy, microscoping reviews are often a symptom revealing that the decision on the field was not clearly and obviously incorrect, and should therefore be limited."
An 'insult' letting Henderson leave on a free transfer 'to a local rival'published at 15:02 BST 28 July
15:02 BST 28 July
Image source, Getty Images
We asked how you are feeling about Brentford potentially letting Jordan Henderson join Chelsea for free?
Here are some of your comments:
Ken: Letting him go on a free transfer to a local rival is an insult. Demand at least £20m. Experience and cheerleading shouldn't go cheaply.
Tom: I'd be happy for him to go. He's clearly a good bloke to have around and a positive influence - and he came in and filled a gap when needed. But he's the third-choice defensive midfielder now at Brentford. If everyone stays fit, he won't start many games and, if you're going to sit on the bench, why not get paid a huge amount of money for it! Good luck to him!
Graham: Brentford should try to keep Henderson with a view to him joining the coaching staff once he retires from playing. He has been a tremendous asset to the squad and exhibits a wonderful team-first ethic that is an example to all around him, as exemplified by his recent attitude at the World Cup. How many players do Chelsea need? I often feel that the 'big' clubs just sign players to stop them from playing against them and not because they need them.
Rob: Henderson wouldn't have gone to the World Cup if he was still playing in Saudi Arabia or the Netherlands. Only Brentford gambled on him and it paid off for both parties. He wouldn't be an automatic choice for the team, but Brentford saw a role for him which he has adapted into brilliantly. I believe Brentford should be paid to release him from his contract and receive a fee in the region of £10m-plus.
Steve: The difference between what Brentford will lose by letting Henderson leave and what Chelsea would gain by signing him is massive. His experience last season was huge for us and losing him will be a big loss, especially for free to moneybags down the road. He won't start much for Chelsea, but he was a key player for us. It makes no sense to me!
Brentford launch 2026-2027 away kit published at 12:56 BST 28 July
12:56 BST 28 July
Image source, Brentford
Brentford have released their away kit for the 2026-2027 season.
The shirt is navy, featuring cream pinstripes and is paired with navy shorts and socks. The design is "influenced by the distinguished tailoring of the Kingsman films".
Brentford shareholder and director of the Kingsman film series, Sir Matthew Vaughn, was a part of creating the shirt which the club said "pays homage to the heritage of Savile Row, bringing together football, film and fashion in our most distinctive kit to date."
Gossip: Brentford target Dioufpublished at 11:36 BST 28 July
11:36 BST 28 July
West Ham have turned down a bid for reported Brentford target, right-back El-Hadji Malick Diouf, and want the 21-year-old to help them return to the Premier League. (Football Insider, external), external
The ex-Liverpool captain was selected to be a part of Thomas Tuchel's England squad at the 2026 World Cup, but only made one substitute appearance before breaking his arm falling over advertising hoardings.
Henderson made 34 appearances for Brentford last season, scoring one goal.
How do you feel about Keith Andrews' side potentially letting Henderson join Chelsea for free?
Image source, Getty Images
