Fabio Carvalho could leave Brentford: Burnley, Southampton & Wolves must be ready | OneFootball

Burnley, Southampton, and Wolves should prepare moves for Brentford midfielder Fabio Carvalho in case of his exit this summer

Brentford attacking-midfielder Fabio Carvalho missed a huge portion of last season after injuring his ACL in November, but as the 23-year-old closes in on a return to action, the Bees have a big decision to make regarding his future at the club.

Carvalho, having come through the ranks of Fulham and thrusting himself into the spotlight with 18 goal contributions in 36 Championship games for the Cottagers during the 2021/22 campaign as a teenager, the former England and Portugal youth international has struggled to continue on that trajectory.

A £5 million move to Liverpool in the summer of 2022 followed, with spells on loan with RB Leipzig and Hull City thereafter, before Brentford paid £27.5 million to bring him back to West London in 2024. However, Carvalho has managed just 33 appearances in all competitions for the Bees since then, scoring six and assisting four.

Under contract until the summer of 2029, they won’t likely be giving up on him just yet, as a loan move where he can receive regular minutes may be the best option for everyone involved, as FLW takes a look at three EFL clubs that should be ready in case a loan move becomes an option this summer.

Burnley

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Burnley, after a slow start to the window, are finally up and running, bringing in each of Ugo Raghouber, Ben Amos, Max Alleyne, and Dastan Satpaev, the latter two on loan, with a move for former Sheffield United defender Anel Ahmedhodzic edging closer.

The Clarets have lost both Jaidon Anthony and Loum Tchaouna since relegation, and could lose Zian Flemming before the end of the window as well, with another option or two in the final third a necessity.

Football League World's Burnley fan pundit Aaron Wright has said the club should be demanding upwards of £35 million for Flemming, with the likes of Everton and Lille interested.

Carvalho has previously excelled in the Championship in spells with both Fulham and Hull, and although injuries have limited his minutes in recent years, there’s no reason why Burnley couldn’t provide him with the platform to shine in the second tier once again.

Aaron Ramsey remains their only obvious option in that area at the moment, as Nicky Hayen must make an ambitious move for Carvalho in the coming week or so, which could be the difference between promotion or remaining in the Championship.

Southampton

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Southampton have still only brought in two fresh faces this summer, namely Lewis Dobbin and Divin Mubama, but with less than two weeks to go before the deadline, more are expected to follow sooner rather than later.

Interest in Lazio striker Petar Ratkov would indicate that Tonda Eckert has few intentions of stopping additions in the final third just yet, especially with each of Ben Brereton Diaz, Cameron Archer, and Damion Downs all expected to leave before the window slams shut.

Capable of playing anywhere across the final third, Carvalho would add another option on the left for Leo Scienza and through the middle for Dobbin and Finn Azaz, and when fit, would provide incredible competition for places in that area of the pitch for the Saints.

On a loan deal, Carvalho presents few risks and high upside, as Southampton should be putting their name forward to Brentford in case an exit is sanctioned in the next couple of weeks.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

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Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Portuguese connection has somewhat faded in recent years, but with Cesar Peixoto now at the helm, that influence could be coming back.

The Old Gold have been fairly reserved in the window so far, bringing in both Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez on free transfers, whilst Rafiki Said has been joined by Jordan James as the only additions under Peixoto thus far.

Whilst that will surely change before the end of the window, one area that they are yet to explore is the loan market, as Wolves should consider utilising that Portuguese connection once more with a move for Carvalho this summer.

in recent days, highlighting the club's ambition for further additions in the final third, as Carvalho fits the bill.

Whether Brentford will be willing to loan Carvalho out this summer remains to be seen, but if a deal can be struck, then Wolves must ensure they are at the front of the queue just in case.