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Beesotted’s Carl Massey looks back at the Bees’ week in Germany, as well as news and rumours involving Brentford and our rivals from around the Championship.

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Bees win in Germany
Brentford stepped up preparations for the new season with a 1-0 win over Bundesliga 2 side VFL Bochum. After being second best for much of the first half, the Bees took the lead through Scott Hogan who finished off Maxime Colin’s cutback after Lewis Macleod had slipped the ball through.

The Bees eventually saw out the second half and another 90 minutes which will help the fitness levels. Daniel Bentley impressed on his Brentford debut making a number of fine saves as the hundred or so Bees fans that travelled got an insight into why the recruitment team were so desperate to seal his signature.

It was also another valuable 45 minutes for Lewis Macleod who continues to build fitness ahead of the new season. Macleod has endured a torrid 18 months at GP but is starting to look like he’s put his injury nightmare behind him.

After an intense first 45 minutes, Dean Smith switched to the 5-3-2 formation that we saw against Boreham Wood as he looks to incorporate at least three of Brentford’s talented centre backs.

It certainly looks as if the team are toying with the idea of playing 5 across the back but only time will tell if this is workable long term.

The boys from Beesotted also caught up with Dean Smith after the game as he gave his views on the performance and possible new signings, revealing that two more are in sight of the finish line.

Check out the brief match report here: http://beesotted.co.uk/?p=18536

 

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Wolves on the brink of takeover
Elsewhere around the Championship, Wolves look set to be taken over by Chinese billionaire Robin Li.

In September 2015 Morgan announced he was looking to sell Wolves, the club he has owned since 2007 and since then rumours have been rife about potential buyers.

It would now appear though as if Robin Li, founder of Baidu (The Chinese version of Google) is set to complete a deal for the club. It also look’s likely that manager Kenny Jackett will be replaced by former FC Porto boss Julen Lopetegui.

As the takeover process, brokered by super agent Jorge Mendes, has dragged on, Wolves have lost out on several transfer targets. Nick Powell and Ashley Fletcher, both of Man Utd were said to be close before falling through and a £2.3 million deal for Idrissa Sylla of Anderlecht had been agreed but is said to have collapsed

 

Swift arrival at Reading
John Swift has completed his move to Reading after rejecting a new contract at Chelsea. Swift, who scored 7 goals in 27 appearances for Brentford last season had the chance to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge, but with Chelsea preferring to splash big money on the likes of Michy Batshuayi (£33.2 million) from Marseille. Swift clearly felt it was time for a change of scenery.

Swift endured a mixed time at Brentford and whilst he has undoubted talent, some fans accused the attacking midfielder of being lazy. New Reading manager Jaap Stam obviously feels that he can get the best out of the former Chelsea man.

McCormack attracting interest
Fulham front man Ross McCormack is attracting interest from a host of Championship clubs with Newcastle, Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich and Aston Villa said to be keen.

Any potential suitor will have to stump up a whopping £15 million quid to trigger the release clause in the former Leeds striker’s contract.

McCormack who has scored 38 league goals for Fulham will demand a high price for a 29 year old Championship goal scorer but it doesn’t appear to be putting off the Championship big hitters as the likes of Newcastle, Norwich and Villa look to make an immediate return to the Premier league.

Done Deals
Sergi Canos has completed his £2.5 million move to Norwich whilst Huddersfield have signed Australian Midfielder Aaron Mooy on a season long loan from Manchester City. That is in addition to club record signing Christopher Schindler from Bundersliga 2 side TSV 1860 Munich. Schindler who signed a three year contract cost the terriers £1.8 million and is a replacement for outgoing defender Joel Lynch who has joined QPR.

League One play-off winners, Barnsley, have signed Tom Bradshaw from Walsall on a three-year deal.

Bristol City continue to spend after securing the services of former loanee Lee Tomlin as they also sign Icelandic Hordur Magnusson from Juventus for an undisclosed fee.

Kyle McFadzean didn’t hang around in League 1 too long as he has left recently relegated MK Dons to join Championship new boys Burton Albion on a three year deal.

Finally, Nick Powell has completed his free transfer move to newly promoted Wigan Athletic. Powell who fetched a £3 million fee when he signed for Man Utd from Crewe Alexandra had been out on loan to Wigan during the 2014/15 season but a series of injury problems limited his game time last year.

Carl Massey