Brentford work on trimming squad as Frank Onyeka exit nears | OneFootball

Brentford are working on January departures as part of Keith Andrews’ plan to trim the squad, with Frank Onyeka likely to move on amid mounting interest.

A range of Championship clubs, including Sheffield United, Coventry and Birmingham, are keen, while Valencia are monitoring. Per Standard Sport, the Bees are exploring loans for young goalkeepers Julian Eyestone, 19, and Ellery Balcombe, and would sell Balcombe if a suitable offer arrives.

In late December Andrews said certain positions were overstocked, then hinted weeks later that Onyeka could be among those squeezed by fierce competition for places. He also acknowledged the midfielder wants more regular football and said he understands that stance.

The 28-year-old featured four times in Nigeria’s Afcon run to the semi-finals before last week’s defeat to hosts Morocco, yet has only six Brentford appearances this season. He has not started in the Premier League in 25/26 and has not appeared in the competition since 25 October. Brentford are open to a sale or a loan with an option to buy, and he has played 75 times for the club since 2021.

Vitaly Janelt, whom the club regard as a crucial player, signed a new four-and-a-half-year deal last week, underlining the current midfield hierarchy.

Brentford have loaned out Michael Olakigbe to Swindon and Matthew Cox to Shrewsbury, while Yunus Konak and Myles Peart-Harris moved to Oxford, the latter permanently. The wider plan includes considering loans for Gustavo Nunes, 20, and Paris Maghoma, 24, and sending out a goalkeeper for first-team minutes. Kaye Furo is the only incoming so far, the 18-year-old arriving from Club Brugge for a reported £8.7m on a five-and-a-half-year deal.

Source: Hounslow Herald