Brentford could accept an offer of £35million-plus for left-back Rico Henry in 2024, sources have told Football Insider.
Football Insider revealed on Monday (11 September) that Man United made late overtures over a potential deal for Henry, 26, in the summer window.
However, Erik ten Hag’s side weren’t able to afford a permanent move for the defender – but could revisit the situation next year.
United instead chose to sign Tottenham left-back Sergio Reguilon on a season-long loan deal with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia both out injured.
The Red Devils and other top Premier League sides could now go back in for Henry in future windows.
It is believed Brentford are in a strong position at present with the former England youth international happy at the club.
However, a well-placed source has told Football Insider that Henry would be interested in a big move in the future – and the Bees are unlikely to stand in his way.
Sources say a bid in excess of £35million – which would be a new club-record departure for Brentford – would test the club’s resolve.
Henry has played every Premier League minute so far in the 2023-24 campaign, but was missing from the squad for their League Cup win over Newport County.
He notched two assists for Brentford in the 2022-23 season in 39 appearances across all competitions.
Brentford
The defender, who is on the fringes of Gareth Southgate’s England squad, is under contract with the Bees until June 2026.
Henry now made 202 total appearances for the London club and was a key part of their promotion-winning side in 2021.
Brentford clash: Newcastle hits with fresh to key players
Newcastle United are waiting to see if Miguel Almiron is fit to feature for Paraguay in Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifier versus Venezuela (kick-off 11pm).
Almiron pulled up in the closing stages of his country’s 0-0 draw with Peru on Thursday. The 29-year-old appeared to be in some discomfort and as a result limped off with his teammates forced to play out the game with 10 men.
The Paraguayan Football Association issued a statement after the fixture confirming Almiron had “sustained muscular contracture” and is “subjected to further auxiliary studies.”
Guillermo Barros Schelotto said Almiron “doesn’t have an injury” and put the issue down to cramp. All eyes are on tomorrow evening to see if Almiron has recovered in time.
“He’s fine, very tired, cramped,” Schelotto told reporters the night before the Paraguay FA’s statement. “It’s his first game, he had a long trip, he didn’t have much recovery time and the commitment they have forces them to give everything.
“He doesn’t have an injury. I hope he can recover and play against Venezuela.”
Almiron isn’t the only Newcastle player to suffer an injury scare during the international break.
Alex Murphy withdrew from the Republic of Ireland under-21s squad, while Elliot Anderson returned to Tyneside for treatment last week after picking up an injury in training with Scotland.
Eddie Howe’s side host Brentford at St James’ Park on Saturday evening (kick-off 5:30pm) looking to end a run of three straight defeats.
Brentford £80m striker taught me defensive lesson last season – Chelsea defender confessed
Chelsea’s Levi Colwill has explained that he was given a really tough lesson last season when he came up against Brentford striker Ivan Toney.
Levi Colwill, who’s just 20, is a young defender learning on the job at Premier League level over the past year.
The ball-playing centre-back is currently part of the senior Chelsea and England squad, with last season’s loan spell at Brighton working wonders for his development.
It’s very interesting to hear that Brentford’s Ivan Toney is the one opponent so far to teach the youngster a bit of a lesson.
Brighton & Hove Albion v Brentford FC – Premier League
Photo by David Horton – CameraSport via Getty Images
Chelsea’s talented centre-half admits he walked away from last season’s battle against Toney scratching his head a little.
“Was there a moment when you were really given a lesson?”, Colwill was asked, as quoted by The Express. “Yeah, I think Ivan Toney last season,” he quickly responded. “I was playing decent football last season and I came up against him and it was a lot different and I had to learn from it quickly. I had to give myself a little chat and say, ‘You’ve got something to prove now.’
Toney is currently unavailable for Brentford until the New Year as he serves a ban for breaking betting regulations, but he’s looked one of the most formidable centre-forwards in England during the past couple of years.
The Evening Standard recently claimed that Chelsea are already considering a potential move to try sign Toney from Brentford when the January transfer window comes around.
The Independent reported last month that Brentford wanted £80million to sell Toney in the summer. Will that still be the case mid-season after he’s spent half a year watching from the stands, though?
Toney is a very strong frontman who looks a nightmare to play against.
We see real logic to suggest he’d be a great option at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea have got to draw a line at the crazy spending some time soon.
Our preference would be to take a rain check on the striker targets until the New Year. For now, let’s see if Nicolas Jackson or Armando Broja can come good as Chelsea’s No 9.