David Ornstein: Brentford have £45m Bid Rejected for Bundesliga Forward | OneFootball

Brentford’s Ambitious Pursuit of Maximilian Beier Stalls

Brentford’s bold attempt to land Borussia Dortmund striker Maximilian Beier has been firmly rejected, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic. The Bees tabled a £45 million offer that would have smashed their transfer record, yet Dortmund held their ground. It leaves Brentford at a crossroads with uncertainty surrounding Yoane Wissa’s future and the club’s need for attacking reinforcements.

Record-Breaking Intent

The bid for Beier was not just sizeable, it was historic. As Ornstein reported, “The bid would have exceeded the club-record £37m Brentford paid Bournemouth for Dango Ouattara earlier this month.” That investment alone signalled a willingness to back new manager Keith Andrews, yet the German forward was seen as a potential centrepiece of Brentford’s new era.

Beier’s numbers last season were solid if not spectacular. He scored 10 goals in 46 appearances for Dortmund after joining from Hoffenheim. His development in the Bundesliga has been steady and at only 22, he offers room for growth. Brentford’s analytics-driven recruitment team clearly saw untapped potential, though Dortmund’s refusal suggests they consider him integral to their campaign.

Wissa’s Unsettled Position

Much of this pursuit links directly to Yoane Wissa’s unresolved situation. The 29-year-old has long been admired for his versatility, but Newcastle United’s interest has unsettled him. Two offers from the Tyneside club have already been rejected, yet Wissa remains adamant about a move. As Andrews confirmed, “Nothing has changed in terms of my stance. There has been no movement. No (he will not feature against Sunderland), I’ll focus on the group that’s settled and doesn’t have issues ongoing.”

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His omission from Brentford’s first fixtures underscores the manager’s insistence on unity. For now, the Congolese international remains sidelined, leaving the Bees with a potential gap in their attacking options.

What Beier Would Have Brought

Beyond the headline fee, Beier represented a stylistic fit. He is mobile, presses intelligently and can stretch defences. That profile aligns with Brentford’s tactical DNA under both Thomas Frank and now Andrews. His Bundesliga pedigree could have offered both immediate impact and long-term value, which makes Dortmund’s rejection even more painful for supporters.

As Ornstein highlighted, “The London club are not expected to raise their offer for the 22-year-old striker.” That admission essentially closes the door on this chase, unless circumstances change dramatically.

Transfer Strategy in Focus

For Brentford, missing out on Beier may not be terminal but it does raise questions. With Ouattara already signed, their summer spend has been significant. However, losing Wissa without a direct replacement would risk undermining Andrews’ promising start. A first Premier League win against Aston Villa followed by progress in the Carabao Cup shows momentum, but the transfer market remains crucial in sustaining it.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

From a Brentford supporter’s perspective, this report is hard to swallow. The club finally makes a statement bid, a £45 million approach that proves ambition, yet it is met with rejection. That hurts more when you realise we might still lose Wissa. He may not be a superstar, but his goals and tireless work have been vital. Hearing our manager say “I’ll focus on the group that’s settled” feels like we are already preparing for life without him.

Keith Andrews deserves credit for his start, with the Villa and Bournemouth results giving us belief, but recruitment is where fans get nervous. It is good to spend £37 million on Ouattara, yet it looks risky if he and Ivan Toney shoulder the entire burden. Beier looked like someone who could grow into a leader of the line, and his age profile fits perfectly.

Supporters worry that failing to land him might mean the club settles for a cheaper alternative. That is not good enough in the Premier League where margins are slim. If Newcastle come back again for Wissa and we let him go without a top-class replacement, frustration will grow. We are proud of Brentford’s smart approach, but sometimes you need to push harder, and fans feel this was the moment to do it.