Phil Giles ‘wouldn't be massively surprised' if Bryan Mbeumo stays at Brentford
Giles, speaking on Monday afternoon at the unveiling of new head coach Keith Andrews, said the London club would be 'open' to a deal which was 'right for us financially', but insisted Mbeumo staying put was 'not off the table'.
'In terms of expectations, I don't actually know where that will end up,' Giles said.
'I think we made our point clear that Bryan had such a great season and if he earned a massive move now, which is right for us financially, then we would be open for that, but if he's here next season I wouldn't be massively surprised, it would be welcomed, we would be delighted.
Keith Andrews has taken the Brentford helm (Maja Smiejkowska/PA)
'It would save me a massive headache, frankly, and that's not off the table, so let's see how it goes.'
Brentford scored a club-record 66 Premier League goals last season en route to an impressive 10th-place finish, with Mbeumo's 20-goal haul a big factor.
'With Bryan, he had 20 Premier League goals last season so we expected lots of interest and there has been lots of interest,' Giles added.
'He has his own views for the next part of his career and where he will end up, which is fair, because it's his career and those conversations have been going on for the last couple of weeks.'
If Mbeumo does leave, he would add to a growing list of summer departures from Brentford, with manager Thomas Frank joining Tottenham, goalkeeper Mark Flekken heading to Bayer Leverkusen and midfielder Christian Norgaard 'more likely than not', in Giles' words, to leave.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
27 minutes ago
- Times
Habib Diarra: Sunderland break club transfer record with £27m deal
Sunderland have broken their transfer record for the second time since they were promoted to the Premier League with the signing of Habib Diarra from Strasbourg for a fee that could rise to £30million. The club have paid £27million for the 21-year-old Senegal international, who scored in his country's 3-1 victory against England at the City Ground last month. There is potentially a further £3million in add-ons. The fee tops the permanent signing of the French midfielder Enzo Le Fée, whose move from Roma could eventually cost the club £20million. Diarra will be a direct replacement for Jobe Bellingham, who moved to Borussia Dortmund last month for a fee that could rise beyond £30million. Diarra has 11 caps for his country and was a regular in the Strasbourg side who finished seventh in Ligue One last season. 'Habib is an exciting talent and we are delighted to welcome him to Sunderland,' Kristjaan Speakman, the Sunderland sporting director, said. 'This underlines his undoubted quality and immense potential. It reflects our progress and ambition. Like Sunderland, Habib is ready for the Premier League.' Sunderland were promoted back to the Premier League for the first time since 2017 after a dramatic play-off final victory against Sheffield United at Wembley. Arsenal complete £5m deal for Arrizabalaga Arsenal have confirmed the signing of the goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga from Chelsea after activating the Spaniard's £5million release clause (Tom Allnutt writes). Arrizabalaga has signed a three-year contract and will provide cover for David Raya next season. Arrizabalaga joined Chelsea for £71.6million from Athletic Bilbao in 2018, which is still the world-record transfer fee for a goalkeeper. But he struggled for consistency at Chelsea and eventually joined Real Madrid on loan for the 2023-24 campaign, where he was signed after an injury to Thibaut Courtois. Arrizabalaga made 35 appearances last season during another loan at Bournemouth, who were unable to afford a permanent deal due to the 30-year-old's wages. Arsenal were also keen on Espanyol's Joan García this summer but the 24-year-old has opted to sign for Barcelona, prompting the move for Arrizabalaga instead. In a statement, Arsenal said Arrizabalaga was joining 'to reinforce our goalkeeping unit'. Arrizabalaga said: 'I'm really, really happy to be here, really excited and looking forward to what is coming. 'The ambition that is shown in this club, when I talk with Mikel [Arteta] and Inaki [Cana, Arsenal's goalkeeping coach], how much they show me their desire to win … I think we are so close to winning and, hopefully, altogether, we can achieve it.' Arsenal are also close to completing the signing of Christian Norgaard from Brentford in a deal worth around £13million and Martín Zubimendi for £55million from Real Sociedad. Norgaard is due to undergo his medical this week, as Arteta looks to bolster his options in central midfield. Thomas Partey has left Arsenal after his contract expired on Sunday while Jorginho has joined Flamengo. Arsenal are also in negotiations with Valencia for their defender Cristhian Mosquera. Valencia want around €20million (about £17.1million) for Mosquera and Arsenal are weighing up whether to match the Spanish club's asking price for the promising 21-year-old or move on to other targets. Arsenal also want a striker, as well as a winger, this summer, with Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze and Chelsea's Noni Madueke among the options being explored by the club's sporting director, Andrea Berta. Real Madrid's Rodrygo, Morgan Rogers at Aston Villa, Newcastle United's Anthony Gordon and Igor Paixao at Feyenoord are also on Arsenal's shortlist. Semenyo signs new deal with Bournemouth Antoine Semenyo has signed a new five-year contract with Bournemouth. The 25-year-old forward joined from Bristol City in January 2023 and has made 89 appearances for the club in all competitions. Last season Semenyo played an important part in helping Bournemouth secure ninth place — their joint-highest Premier League finish — by scoring 11 goals in 37 league appearances, taking his season tally to 13 goals and seven assists across all competitions. He had been linked with the likes of Manchester United, Tottenham and Newcastle, with a possible fee of around £70m rumoured but has signed a new deal which runs until the summer of 2030. Acheampong dismisses transfer talk The Chelsea defender Josh Acheampong has brushed off speculation linking him with a move away from the club and spoken for the first time about being frozen out at Stamford Bridge (Peter Rutzler writes). Acheampong has been linked with Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle and Tottenham in recent weeks but Chelsea have dismissed the idea of selling the promising 19-year-old this summer. Their head coach, Enzo Maresca, said last week that he has the potential to become a 'top defender for the club'. 'I don't really look at it,' Acheampong said of transfer rumours. 'I don't really pay attention to any of that. I just focus on my football. Hopefully we win our next game and win the tournament. I think it's important to get the trust from the manager. Every time I play, I want to do as well as I can.' Acheampong did not play for either the club's under-21 team or train with the first team from September until November due to a contract stand-off. He signed a new deal in December until 2029, and then went on to make 13 senior appearances. Acheampong, above, praised senior Chelsea defender Adarabioyo for his help DARREN WALSH/CHELSEA FC VIA GETTY IMAGES Asked about the experience, and what his manager said to him, Acheampong said: 'Enzo said he thinks I'm a good player. I love the club, so I always want to stay at Chelsea and just show what I can do.' Acheampong praised Maresca's influence. 'He just said be confident and told me to try my best,' he added. 'Enzo's really good with the young lads. He's really approachable. If you've got any questions you want to ask him, he'll be there for you. Same with the other coaches as well.' He also credits the 27-year-old defender Tosin Adarabioyo, who is nicknamed 'uncle' within the squad, as a supportive influence in an otherwise young team. 'He gives me advice if I need to ask him any questions. He'll get me in the gym and stuff like that, so he's good,' Acheampong said. Asked on his best advice, he said: 'I would say to stay focused. Always, every day, try your best, work your hardest, do extras. Obviously, there's tough days. Training might be tough, you might play a bad game, but you've got to try and stay focused.'
The Herald Scotland
31 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Alexander Zverev joins list of top men's seeds to exit Wimbledon
In fact it was so long – at four hours and 40 minutes – that it actually started in June and finished in July. Arthur Rinderknech celebrates his victory (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Afterwards, the 28-year-old – who has faced allegations of domestic abuse in the past which were unproven and which he has always denied – opened up on his struggles off the court and revealed he may seek therapy. 'Maybe for the first time in my life I'll probably need it,' he said. 'I've been through a lot of difficulties. I've been through a lot of difficulties in the media. I've been through a lot of difficulties in life generally. 'I've never felt this empty before. Just lacking joy, just lacking joy in everything that I do. It's not necessarily about tennis. Just lacking joy outside of tennis, as well.' Zverev is the fourth top-10 player to crash out in the first round at this year's Championships – and the highest-ranked – joining Lorenzo Musetti, Holger Rune, and Daniil Medvedev through the exit door. "Whoooooo!" Almost 24 hours after the match began, Arthur Rinderknech can't believe he's done it 👏#Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2025 Rinderknech, the world number 72, was previously best known for having to retire from a match he was winning at last year's French Open because he injured his foot kicking an advertising hoarding. The 29-year-old said: 'I don't even know where to start. My legs are still shaking. I can't do this anymore. 'We started yesterday at 8pm, finish now at 7. What a moment, such emotions.' Italian seventh seed Musetti was knocked out by Nikoloz Basilashvili of Georgia. A 6-2 4-6 7-5 6-1 defeat was not a major surprise, however, as Musetti has been recovering from a thigh injury since Roland Garros and was forced to withdraw from Queen's last month. There were no such problems for world number one Jannik Sinner, who announced himself at this year's Wimbledon with a statement win over fellow Italian Luca Nardi. Jannik Sinner eased through (Adam Davy/PA) The 23-year-old dropped only seven games in a comprehensive 6-4 6-3 6-0 victory in an hour and 48 minutes. Sinner slammed down nine aces among 28 winners and lost only 12 points behind his own serve. The three-time grand slam winner has only reached the semi-finals here once, in 2023, but all roads seem to be leading to a showdown with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz a week on Sunday in a repeat of their epic five-set French Open final, won by the Spaniard, last month. While Alcaraz toiled to a five-set, four-and-a-half-hour win over 38-year-old Fabio Fognini on Monday, Sinner was not hanging around as he raced into round two, where he will meet Australian Aleksandar Vukic. He had to wait for it, but that first round win meant everything to Taylor Fritz 👏#Wimbledon | @Taylor_Fritz97 — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2025 'New tournament, new chances, new challenges,' he said. 'You have one opponent at a time so obviously I try to keep going and enjoy playing here.' Fifth seed Taylor Fritz completed his comeback from two sets down to oust big-serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in five. Fritz was frustrated on Monday night when officials opted not to finish the match because, at 10.15pm, it was deemed too close to the 11pm curfew imposed by the local council. The American returned on Tuesday afternoon to win the one-set shoot-out 6-4. Alexander Bublik, the tricky 28th seed from Kazakhstan who was a potential third-round opponent for Britain's Jack Draper, was beaten in five sets by Spain's Jaume Munar.
The Herald Scotland
an hour ago
- The Herald Scotland
Coco Gauff suffers stunning first-round defeat as Wimbledon shocks continue
The resounding loss was the 21-year-old's second round-one exit in three years in SW19 following defeat to compatriot Sofia Kenin at this stage in 2023. "It's the win of her career." No.1 Court is stunned as Dayana Yastremska defeats No.2 seed Coco Gauff 7-6(3), 6-1 😲#Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2025 While dejected world number two Gauff delivered nine double faults and only six winners compared with 29 unforced errors in an erratic display, Nottingham Open runner-up Yastremska produced the performance of her career. 'It was a great match – I was really on fire,' the 25-year-old said on court following her maiden victory over Gauff at the fourth attempt 'Playing against Coco it is something special. She's a great player and a great person. I enjoyed a lot and these courts are made for the greatest players so I'm very grateful to be on this court. 'My preparation before the grass season didn't go very well – I got sick at Roland Garros and I only trained two days on grass. It was pretty unexpected but it has been a great season for me. I love playing on grass, I feel like this season we are friends! 'I hope the road will continue, and it is a pleasure being here.' Earlier, world number three Jessica Pegula struggled to explain her shock exit as she praised the 'insane' performance of opponent Elisabetta Cocciaretto. Last year's US Open runner-up was beaten 6-2 6-3 in just 58 minutes as Italian world number 116 Cocciaretto celebrated the greatest win of her career. Asked what went wrong, the 31-year-old American, who lost in the first round of a grand slam for the first time since the 2020 French Open, replied: 'I don't know. She played absolutely incredible tennis. 'Do I think I played the best match ever? No. But I definitely don't think I was playing bad. Elisabetta Cocciaretto, take a bow 👏 The Italian beats No.3 seed Jessica Pegula 6-2, 6-3 to storm into the second round of #Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2025 'It's really a bummer to lose. I haven't lost first round of a slam in a very long time, so that sucks. 'I'm upset that I wasn't able to turn anything around. But at the same time, I do feel like she played kind of insane. Hats off to her. Kudos to her for playing at a high level that I couldn't match it today.' Cocciaretto, who had only once before defeated a top-10 player, spectacularly turned the tables on Pegula, having suffered a 6-4 6-0 round-three loss to her in SW19 in 2023. Barbora Krejcikova avoided being added to the short list of reigning champions to suffer first-round eliminations by battling back to beat Eastbourne Open runner-up Alexandra Eala in three sets. Elisabetta Cocciaretto shakes hands with Jessica Pegula after her first-round shock (Ben Whitley/PA) The 29-year-old Czech was in danger of joining compatriot Marketa Vondrousova and 22-time grand slam winner Steffi Graf in the history books. But, having come into the championship nursing a thigh issue after struggling for form and fitness all year, she dug in to progress 3-6 6-2 6-1 against 20-year-old Filipino Eala on Centre Court. 'Six months ago, I was in a lot of pain with my back and I didn't really know how my career is going to go,' Krejcikova said in her on-court interview. 'I'm super happy and super excited that I can be here and that I can play on such a great court.' "First of all, big credit to her." Barbora Krejcikova is full of praise for 20-year-old Alexandra Eala following their three-set battle 👏#Wimbledon — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 1, 2025 Two-time champion Petra Kvitova bid farewell to Wimbledon following a 6-3 6-1 loss to 10th seed Emma Navarro. The 35-year-old wild card, who returned to the tour in February following the birth of son Petr last summer, intends to retire after this year's US Open. Kvitova was a surprise winner of a maiden grand slam title at the All England Club in 2011 thanks to victory over Maria Sharapova before beating Eugenie Bouchard in the 2014 final. Speaking on court, she said: 'Thank you for the atmosphere, it was wonderful to play on this beautiful court. Congrats Emma. I wish we could have played for a bit longer. I never dreamed of winning Wimbledon and I did it twice so this is something very special. 'I will miss Wimbledon, I will miss tennis, I will miss you fans but I am ready for the next chapter of life as well. I can't wait to be back as a member.' Five-time major winner Iga Swiatek overcame Polina Kudermetova 7-5 6-1, while 18-year-old seventh seed Mirra Andreeva beat Mayar Sherif 6-3 6-3. But fifth seed Zheng Qinwen was knocked out by Czech world number 81 Katerina Siniakova in three sets. Queen's champion Tatjana Maria, who reached the semi-finals in 2022, lost in three sets to American Katie Volynets while Eastbourne winner Maya Joint was beaten by Russian 19th seed Liudmila Samsonova.
