Brentford: Keith Andrews reveals message to key Bees star over contract stalemate

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Evening Standard

·21 November 2025

Brentford: Keith Andrews reveals message to key Bees star over contract stalemate

Long-serving player has been in discussions regarding new deal in west London, but an agreement has yet to be reached

Keith Andrews has confirmed that he wants Vitaly Janelt to sign a new contract at Brentford.

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Midfielder Janelt’s current deal is due to expire next summer, and, while Standard Sport understands that discussions have taken place, an agreement over an extension has yet to materialise.

The 27-year-old, who is free to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs in January, has been a mainstay in Brentford’s team since their promotion to the Premier League, but has yet to start a top-flight game under Andrews this season.

Despite the German seemingly being out of favour, Andrews has told Janelt that he wants him to stay with the Bees.

"I've had discussions with Vitaly. Vitaly is pretty clear on my thoughts that I would like him to stay,” Andrews said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Brighton.

“I like what he is about as a player and a person; he's been a real glue around the football club. He knows the landscape of this club really well and has achieved a lot. This football club has been good for him as well.”

Fabio Carvalho is another Brentford player who had been linked with a move away in January, with Standard Sport reporting last month that he was open to a permanent exit or loan deal with an option to buy.

The Portuguese, who has been ruled out for the rest of the season, became the second Brentford player to suffer an ACL injury this term, after summer signing Antoni Milambo.

"It's been a tough week. He's someone I have a lot of respect for as a man,” Andrews said of Carvalho.

“I have felt for him this season; he hasn't gotten as many opportunities as I would ideally have liked to have given him. We will support him really well as we always do.”