Phil Giles interview: Brentford’s long-term thinking behind January transfers | OneFootball

Brentford director of football Phil Giles has reflected on the club’s January transfer window, outlining the thinking behind a calm and considered approach midway through the 2025/26 campaign.

Giles explained how a period of assessment under head coach Keith Andrews, combined with confidence in the existing group, shaped the Bees' business.

Asked about his thoughts on the January transfer window, Giles stated: "If it had been really bad, I wouldn't be sitting here telling you it was really bad - to be honest, I'll always say I'm relatively happy with it!

"However, we do generally come out of windows in good shape. When we sat down after the summer window, I tried to explain that I was actually pretty happy with where we were, even though people looked in and said otherwise.

"This window has been different [to the summer] but, first of all, I'm very happy with the job Keith, the staff, and the players are doing. It's been a good season so far, which makes my life a lot easier when there isn't a lot that needs doing!

"We're in a good place."

The only incoming to the first-team squad was forward Kaye Furo, who signed from Belgian Pro League side Club Brugge on a five-and-a-half-year deal.

Giles explained the thought process behind that deal, as well as the long-term and short-term plan for the 18-year-old.

He said: "Since last summer, we only really had Igor Thiago who could play as a no.9 - of course, other players could fill in - but there was a clear need to not only think about today in how we back up Igor, but also come up with a succession plan, what does the long term look like?

"We've got a decent track record of strikers coming in, making an impact, and then leaving eventually; we needed that long-term plan. We had room for a good, young striker - and Kaye Furo fit the bill.

"He was available due to his contract situation at Club Brugge, who were reluctant to let him leave because he's a very, very good young player. Also, from a physical point of view, he's a big lad, he's tall, he's quick, he has good movement, and good work rate. They're all the attributes we look at for a striker, and to play in the Premier League.

"We're very excited about him, and we think he can make an impact long-term and short-term."

On Furo, he added: "The plan is for him to be involved in the squad to begin with, then he'll get some minutes and integrate into the team.

"It's about learning how we play, how we play off the ball, where he needs to be, his pressing, and then working on his individual attributes, his technical play, his hold-up play. And then, physically, he has a good frame, which is a good starting point, but he needs to keep developing to compete in the Premier League.

"Who knows how quickly it will take him to get to that point - it could be next week, or it could take a bit longer. But we're committed to him, so we'll work with him."

There were multiple outgoings, which included Frank Onyeka and Benjamin Arthur's loan moves to Coventry City and Celtic, respectively, on Deadline Day.

Earlier in the window, Gustavo Nunes and Yunus Emre Konak completed loan moves to the Championship with Swansea City and Oxford United. Matt Cox also made a temporary move to the EFL with Shrewsbury Town.

Paris Maghoma (Norwich City) and Myles Peart-Harris (Oxford United) left the club permanently.

Discussing those deals, Giles revealed: "We probably came out of the summer with a slightly bigger squad than we normally have.

"That was a little bit to account for injuries, a little bit players coming back from injuries, and also, with Keith coming in, he could have a look at those players rather than them going out straight away.

"He's had six months to look at those players - the likes of Benji Arthur and Frank Onyeka - and now we know where we're at with them.

"There were players who weren't getting the minutes they wanted, so we could then streamline the squad."

Asked if there was any temptation to bring in any more players, Giles finalised: "There's always a consideration to recruit.

"If there was a player out there who we thought was going to improve the team or the squad and was available, was the right price, wanted to come, and all these usual conditions, then we're always interested.

"But January is always pretty tricky to find those players who are available. The level of the squad is pretty good, so it'd have to be some player to come in, really compete, get into the team, and make us better!"