Football Today
·25 August 2023
Football Today
·25 August 2023
Brentford have re-signed free agent Saman Ghoddos on a one-year deal until the end of the season, the club have confirmed.
The 29-year-old midfielder was initially released by the Bees at the end of last season despite the club retaining an option to extend his stay by an additional 12 months.
Ghoddos spent the summer training back in Sweden, but Brentford’s injury problems in midfield have forced them to reconsider their stance on his future.
Earlier today, Bees manager Thomas Frank told reporters that Shandon Baptiste had dislocated his shoulder in training, and Josh Dasilva will spend months in the treatment room nursing a hamstring injury.
Ghoddos’ anticipated return is set to strengthen Frank’s options in the middle of the park, and the director of football, Phil Giles, has shed light on the circumstances of his initial departure.
“I’m pretty sure nobody expected Saman to be back at Brentford this summer, especially after the send-off the club and fans gave him after the final game of last season,” Giles said.
“We had an option to keep Saman with us this season but elected not to exercise that option because we were unable to offer Saman the minutes he wanted or deserved this year.
“However, sometimes things change, and we are now in a position to be able to offer him a contract for this season.
While Brentford are sorting out their midfield troubles, they could be faced with a fight to keep their star striker Ivan Toney at the club in the January transfer window.
Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Arsenal are gearing up for an intense battle for Toney’s signature when the winter market rolls around.
Brentford are expected to demand an eye-watering £80 million for the England international who notched 20 Premier League goals last season, but his price tag will not deter prospective suitors.
Toney is currently on a break from football after being suspended for a betting fiasco, but emerging interest in his services suggests he may have played his last game for the Bees.