Johan Bakayoko has rejected a move to Brentford that would have seen him become the Bees’ record signing.
While PSV Eindhoven wanted £38.5million for the 20-year-old wide forward and Brentford were willing to pay only up to £34m, it was still felt that an agreement would be reached before Friday night’s transfer deadline.
However, Bakayoko wavered and opted to stay at PSV, who on Thursday were drawn into a Champions League group alongside Sevilla, Arsenal and Lens.
It has left Brentford with very little time left to sign an attacking player, something they have been working on for the last three weeks.
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The Bees were hoping to secure a deal for Fiorentina winger Nicolas Gonzalez, but had a £34.2m bid rejected by the Serie A side.
Brentford are also one of a number of clubs interested in Paris Saint-Germain striker Hugo Ekitike, who is eager to leave the Ligue 1 giants in search of more regular game time.
West Ham and Crystal Palace also approached PSG to enquire about Ekitike, with Brentford viewing him as a similarly versatile striker to Kevin Schade, whose loan from Freiburg they made permanent this summer for a fee of £22m.
Schade became Brentford’s club-record signing when arriving from the German outfit, but that was trumped by the £23m deal to bring in centre-back Nathan Collins from Wolves in July.
Brentford lost goalkeeper David Raya to Arsenal this summer, initially on a one-year loan but with the expectation that the Gunners will sign him permanently next year.
Thomas Frank’s side signed Mark Flekken, also from Freiburg, as his replacement for £11m.
