And so, finally, the Andre Gray saga looks over as he looks set to sign for Bristol City after the Robins agreed a £9m package with Brentford for the player – who scored against them on Saturday. Hull City and West Ham had also been looking at the striker whose value has risen an incredible £8.5m after just one successful season in the Championship
While some supporters will question the timing of the Gray sale – particularly with injuries to other influential players – The Bees do at least have some time to replace Andre before the transfer window “slams” shut. Brentford have also already brought in strikers Philip Hoffman and Lasse Vibe this summer with both showing a decent goalscoring pedigree in their previous careers.
Admittedly Gray looked to have returned stronger than ever this summer, boasting two goals in two appearances so far. There were times last season, however, where his finishing betrayed him. In short, he remains a raw diamond with the potential to improve – whether City are able to benefit from increased development remains to be seen.
Gray’s lean patch still saw him receive considerable support from the Griffin park faithful during his debut season in the league. A £9 million price tag may not see such patience in the West Country.
Andre’s rise, and subsequent sale, is very much in line with Brentford owner Matthew Benham’s well reported “moneyball” approach to football. The profit received from the club will help them obey FFP rules whilst investing in further prospects from around the footballing globe – in the short term this may also help BFC bring in some talented bodies to replace injured players such as Jota, Josh McEachran and Andreas Bjelland.
There are some parallels between the Gray departure and Brentford’s sale of DJ Campbell – both were pacy goalscorers who had only just made their mark at professional level after arriving from non-league. That’s where the comparisons end though – Campbell’s Brentford were reportedly two days from financial administration whereas Benham has sold Gray at a price which meets his valuation, and smashes into oblivion The Bees record fee received.
This time we’ve lost a good player, but supporters should have every confidence that the healthy profits received will be well invested.
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Ridiculous decision to sell Grey, I am going to hand back my season ticket
Jog on then plastic. Never had it so good at GP. Could only dream about the position the club are in before Benham came in. Benham is an oracle and will take us to the prem, I have no doubt about that.
Just looking at the muted celebration from him on Sat. In comparison to exuberant version against Wolves last season showed an inevitability in the whole process and his desire for a larger wage packet. Still went for it while in a Bees shirt though and this earns him respect. Leaves the Bees in financial position that looks healthy but a push on the Prem. lg. a fast disappearing prospect this season.
Keep the faith – I have for 50 odd years.
Well this just goes to show yet again the clubs ambition. Why sell to a championship rival just like Adubajo to Hull. Call yourself a Brentford fan Benham?
Let’s oust Benham shall we and let’s see where the club ends up then ,sometimes I think some of our fans live in cloud cuckoo land we have now got players worth millions not peanuts and yes they will be replaced, I would call him the most important fan the bees have ever had get of his back
Agree with the above comment however if the money is wisely reinvested then we will see for the rest of the season. Good luck Andre, I hope for your sake you don’t become another Campbell and we don’t hear anything about you in a season or two. Grass ain’t greener sometimes.
Been a Bees supporter for some 65 years but just now I feel that fans are treated like tolerated children – ‘don’t do as we do, do as we say. Loyalty seems to flow from the terraces to the pitch but not the other way round.
Player and agent power is ruining the beautiful game. It seems now to have a few deep wrinkles.
Fans seem to be facing the unsaid words ‘If you don’t like it don’t go’. Will we be seeing spectator less games where our turnstile payments dont pay players wages. Sky and its pundits (God help us)will be all we are left with!
I now how frustrating it is to lose Gray but he’s not going for peanuts some people forget what it was like before Matthew benham came here players were sold on the cheap at least he’s put his money were his mouth is you just have to see the money that has been spent on the team and the club after forty years following the club I do fill we will get to the top flight
Don’t know if this true rumour has it we are talking to dwight gale
Sorry to see Andre go but as long as the club reinvests wisely it’s best for all concerned. Don’t want players who don’t want to play for us. Gray has sold himself well short – should have stayed at least to next window and seen whether we are in with a shout of going up then – if not he could probably have gone to a prem club (if he was playing well – if not he’d be better off staying anyway). Real pressure on him now.m
MB has really put his money where his mouth is in the past – and he is still doing it!
Great quality in the squad – O’Conell looks a great find for example!
Totally agree I think he is going to the wrong club will be so much pressure on him with his price tag should of stayed a bit longer good on the club for holding out for a decent fee the days are gone Mr Steve Bruce when you got dj Campbell on the cheap
It saddens me greatly to read some of the comments here from ‘supposed’ Brentford supporters. It’s sad to see Gray move on, he’s a terrific future prospect and Bristol City isn’t the ideal club for him to move onto but I wish him all the best in the future with them. £9m, is too good an offer to turn down.
I have every confidence in our owner, Matthew Benham and his management team that the money received from Gray’s sale will be reinvested in new players to help strengthen the squad for the coming season.
One player doesn’t make a team.
Always tough to see a good player go, but I think 9m is a fantastic deal for Brentford.
If spent used, the club could bring an extra 3-4 first team players. Only problem, as bigger teams often experience, is that teams tend to take the piss on prices when they know you’ve got money in the bank!
Hope Brentford do well this year!
Gray fails to agree personal terms with Bristol city so he is still our player hopefully we can keep hold of him until the end of the transfer market.