As uncertainty over Ivan Toney future’s future rumbles on, Brentford’s prospects for the new season feel like they hinge on whether or not the England striker leaves.
At one stage it felt inevitable that Toney would get his move to a big club this summer.
But, despite some important cameos for England at Euro 2024, his options are running out and Thomas Frank has said he expects he will still be around once the transfer window has closed.
His presence could prove particularly vital before Christmas because £30million signing Igor Thiago - intended to be his replacement - is out until late this year with a knee injury.
Toney is by no means Brentford’s only source of goals, though.
Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa have become reliable scorers, and goals were shared around nicely when Toney finished last season on a 12-game goal drought.
Frank will be keen to see another season of progress from versatile forwards Kevin Schade, 22, and Keane Lewis-Potter, 23. The former, in particular, will feel like a new signing, having made just 11 league appearances last term due to an adductor injury.
It has so far been a quiet transfer window for Brentford, but the £27.5m addition of Fabio Carvalho from Liverpool in an exciting one.
The 65 Premier League goals Brentford conceded last season were 19 more than the previous campaign, when a ninth-place finish represented their best-ever season.
Injuries and defensive errors crept in and if that continues they could find themselves in relegation trouble after finishing 16th last season.
Brentford have undertaken an internal review into the number of serious injuries at the club and they can ill-afford to lose more key players this season.
There is still a feeling that more transfer business is needed - another midfielder, another centre-back, and perhaps some strengthening at wing-back - but, for the most part, this is a better squad than those of the three promoted teams.
A top-half finish will be the club’s internal target but mid-table feels a more achievable goal.
