Propelling Brentford Into Europe: Three Signings That Could Help | OneFootball

Brentford have established themselves as a serious Premier League side over the last few seasons, but one challenge continues to elude them: qualifying for Europe.

For Bees supporters, the club’s repeated near-misses have become increasingly frustrating. However, with the right additions at fullback, in midfield, and out wide, Brentford could finally take that next step.

Here are three signings who could help them do it.

Positions needed

To consider who Brentford could sign to push for a higher finish this season, we first must understand the positions where they are lacking. Left back is the most obvious choice, with Rico Henry and Aaron Hickey being relatively injury-prone. Hickey and Henry both managed 11 games each for the Bees across the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons, with Hickey missing the entirety of the latter. Keane Lewis-Potter played there last season; however, his preferred and best position is on the left wing.

The next position Brentford need to reinforce is in midfield. They could do with a versatile, all-phase midfielder and have looked at a few already, including Christ Inao Oulaï, who rejected the Bees for Fiorentina. With Jordan Henderson and Mathias Jensen both aging and Christian Nørgaard still yet to be properly replaced, a central midfielder is arguably the most crucial position to get right this summer for Brentford.

Finally, Brentford are in desperate need of a winger. Kevin Schade looks likely to leave and Dango Ouattara is their only real option on the right wing. Should they sign a left-back, Lewis-Potter can play on the left and contest with new signing Jaidon Anthony, but that still leaves the right-wing spot free. With Romellle Donovan leaving on loan to Sheffield United, this means that the Bees are likely to set their sights on a new winger this summer.

Without further ado, let’s look at three players Brentford should sign if they want to get into Europe this season.

1. Joaquin Seys

Estimated fee: £30 million

Joaquin Seys is a 21-year-old full-back from Belgium who plays for Club Brugge. After impressing in Belgium for the last 2 seasons, Seys earned his call-up for the World Cup.

A versatile full-back, Seys is better going forward but can still offer defensive security. He is better in the air than Hickey and Henry and is also better going forward. However, the Belgian brings a much-needed harmony between attack and defense. He played mostly on the right last season but excels on the left.

As for where he fits in Keith Andrews’ setup, he would actually be the ideal fullback for the Irishman. Seys can play on both flanks, and his versatility means he can stay back while the other full-back attacks, or flip that and be the one putting those crosses in.

With Kayode extending his contract recently, his commitment to Brentford means that he will likely be that attacking right back for Andrews, but Seys can also fill that role should he need a rest.

Andrews usually likes one of his midfielders to drop into the defense, whether that is centrally or on one of the flanks. Either way, this gives license to one or both fullbacks to push into the attacking third, where Seys thrives. Swinging crosses onto Igor Thiago’s head from both flanks can be a rich source of goals for the Bees. Brentford play a progressive style of football, and Seys’ data for progressive passes and carrying clears that of Hickey and Henry.

As the data shows, Seys is excellent going forward. His defensive data is much better from the season when he primarily played left back, but it is still sufficient from his season on the right.

With his versatility, he could be a smart pick-up for the Bees. However, there are a few risks with signing a player like Seys. The biggest, most glaring issue is whether or not he can adapt to the Premier League and whether he is mature enough to be pushing for a starting role. It is also important to consider his price tag; £30m will end up either being a brilliant price or a waste of money. Medium risk, potentially high reward.

2. Joey Veerman

Estimated fee: £20 million

Veerman may be a name that many Brentford fans are acquainted with, having been the subject of a big transfer push from the Bees this time last year.

The London club was informed by PSV that he was not for sale back then; however, reports from the Netherlands suggest that the midfielder has asked to leave.

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Veerman nearly left PSV in January after Fenerbahçe activated his £20 million release clause, but the transfer was cancelled, and he ultimately saw out the season in the Netherlands.

However, that release clause is believed to still be active. With Brentford retaining a long-term interest in the midfielder and him stating that he wants a move away, it is plausible that he makes the switch to West London.

Veerman is capable of playing all across the midfield, making the 27-year-old an ideal target for Keith Andrews. The Dutchman can drop between defenders to dictate play and is extremely press-resistant, making him a great progressor.

His ability to perform in any phase of play would make him a key player in that 4-2-3-1 midfield, being able to win the ball back and use his elite passing range to trigger counters. While Veerman’s primary strength is his eye for a pass, he can provide goals too, scoring 8 in the Eridivisie last season. This versatility in midfield gives the Dutchman that edge over other midfield targets.

Veerman has not been in the Oranje squad since 2024 due to issues with former head coach Ronald Koeman. Now that the 63-year-old has stepped down, the PSV midfielder has expressed his desire to break into the national team again.

A move to the Premier League can revitalize his international career, and with Brentford’s previous interest, it is not out of the question.

The main issue with this signing is his age; at 27 he is only a couple years younger than Mathias Jensen. At 27 there also remains the problem of resale value. Veerman is not getting any younger, and should Brentford not want to cash in, it may be difficult to move him on without a loss.

The final problem is his defensive ability. While the Dutchman is still capable defensively, Keith Andrews may want somebody who can replicate the safety that Christian Nørgaard provided.

3. Nicolás González

Estimated fee: £20 million

González is my final pick for Brentford, and he comes off the back of a stellar World Cup campaign with Argentina, making it to the final and losing against Spain. Following the departure of Thiago Motta, new Juventus manager Igor Tudor has made it clear that the Argentine winger is not in his plans. An opportunity like this could hardly go amiss for the Bees.

González, who has previously been linked with a move to the Bees, spent last season on loan at Atlético Madrid, but their obligation to buy was not triggered. The winger was somewhat of a ‘super-sub’ throughout Argentina’s 2026 World Cup, delivering consistent performances in the minutes he was given. He can play on the left and the right but prefers cutting inside from the right on his favored left foot, which suits Keith Andrews’ needs from his wingers.

The dogged winger would fit right in at Brentford, excelling at creating shooting opportunities. One key quirk that González possesses is his incredible heading metrics. The Argentine ranks 1st in the top 5 league wingers for headed goals per 90 and 2nd for aerial duels won per 90. This data sets González apart from the rest, and Andrews’ utilization of inverted wingers could even see the 5’11” forward bag double-figure goals if combined with Kayode’s and potentially Seys’ crossing ability.

As the above data shows, González has solid scoring stats alongside his anomalous heading ability. He could be a proper steal for the Bees, and they need a winger exactly like him. With their previous links to the winger, it would not be a surprise if Brentford attempted another move.

As with Veerman, González’ age can be a concern for Brentford. Also, despite him being cheap, the Argentine’s wages would put him among the highest earners at the club. The winger’s recent club form has not been outstanding, something that the Bees would have to consider before forking out £20m on him. Especially with him being 28, González’ output would have to justify the fee.

closing thoughts

Will Brentford sign all three of these players? Probably not. However, the reasonable fees combined with the data and ability of them all means that Brentford should certainly at least take a look.

Should they amply reinforce those three positions, though, they could make a serious push for European football. The older presences of González and Veerman can provide experience and get them over the line the Londoners have been trying to cross for the last couple of seasons.

Matthew Benham’s ‘Moneyball’ approach focuses on undervalued players and resale potential, and while Veerman could be considered undervalued, González and Seys may be just out of that catchment zone.

Seys is still 21 and can hold resale value, but the other two could be risky signings. Should it pay off, though, Brentford could be on a crash course towards their first ever season in Europe.

Let us know your thoughts, Bees fans!