EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea, Leicester blow as Brentford make vow to star trio

Brentford have told their leading lights to give them at least one season in the Premier League, if they secure promotion.

The Bees come into Project Restart in the Championship in good shape, sitting in fourth but certainly one of the favourites to win the play-offs.

They have a host of talented young players, but the main focus is on their dynamic front-three of Bryan Mbeumo, Said Benrahma and Ollie Watkins, TEAMtalk can reveal.

All three have been linked with big money moves this summer to the Premier League, with Benrahma most recently linked with Chelsea and Leicester.

However, the ambitious West London club have big plans and they have a ready-made new stadium built ahead of next season.

A major part of those plans is keeping their top young talent. To that end the club’s hierarchy have told head coach Thomas Frank, that if they are promoted they will do everything they can to keep their top players.

Meanwhile, Frank Lampard’s desire to sign his top targets this summer could see Chelsea sell as many as 13 first-team players this summer.

The Blues look ready to invest heavily this summer with Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner arriving for a combined £80.5m. Germany striker Werner was confirmed earlier on Thursday.

Roman Abramovich has his eyes on five more big names – with Ben Chilwell and Kai Havertz top of their wishlist.

Signing the pair, however, will not come cheap. Chelsea already know Havertz will cost in excess of £70m. The Bayer Leverkusen star teased his interest after liking a Tweet saying ‘announce Havertz’.

Leicester, meanwhile, are prepared to dig in over Chilwell. It was revealed on Thursday afternoon the England full-back has a £75m fee on his head.

But Chelsea cannot simply spend money without recouping monies on others. As such, The Times, claims a host of backup players – plus three established stars – are all up for grabs. Read more…