Frank keen to add to Bees’ attacking options

Brentford boss Thomas Frank says the club will be targeting attacking additions to his squad this summer after an impressive maiden campaign in the Premier League.

Despite losing their final match, to Leeds on Sunday, the Bees finished in 13th position and managed to remain out of the bottom three for the entire season with a squad largely made up of the players that got the club promoted via the play-offs last year.

Brentford have in the past sold on top performers such as Ollie Watkins, Said Benrahma and Neal Maupay for big money, but Frank expects the likes of Rico Henry, Ivan Toney and David Raya to be at the club for the start of next season.

The Dane also remains hopeful Christian Eriksen will line up in his side when they kick-off in early August, having been instrumental in Brentford’s excellent final third of the season.

“The clear message is that we want to keep everyone, including Christian Eriksen of course,” Frank said.

“I truly believe we have a good chance although there is a risk he will sign with another club.

“Christian needs to go away and find out with his family what to do. I am optimistic person so I am believing, but we will not know anything at this moment in time.

“Hopefully we can add players that will improve the squad, not many, like the other season, maybe one or two and that is how we build.”

The Bees were knocked back in their efforts to sign young forwards Brennan Johnson from Nottingham Forest and Keane Lewis-Potter from Hull City in January and will be looking again at striking reinforcements to take the next step in becoming an established Premier League club.

“It is important that we keep the foundations we have laid this season which were the defensive side of our game, fitness and set-pieces,” Frank said.

“But we would like to add more to the offensive side in terms of controlling that side of our play.

“I would like us to dominate games more, but in terms of plans going forward, that can change, so let’s see.”

Frank admitted he is also wary of the struggles Leeds have endured in their second season in the top flight after finishing ninth after being promoted last year and said the club cannot afford to wallow in the success of staying up so comfortably.

“I am confident we can do well next season, but humble because this league is relentless,” he said.

“I think when you look at Everton, they wouldn’t have expected to be where they are at the start of the season, and I am sure Leeds, who had a remarkable first season, didn’t expect to go to the last game of the season to stay up.

“That shows the respect you have to give this division. But here we do think in a different kind of way.

“We have a clear strategy and will be calm and try and add layers to everything. We are clear in what we want and hopefully we can build in a year’s time we can do even better.

“Every game is difficult and that will be the same again next season.”