Credit: Imago/AFC Bournemouth X

Chris Smith

Fri 15 August 2025 13:38, UK

Brentford are on the verge of completing the signing of Dango Ouattara from Bournemouth for a massive £42million fee.

Bournemouth land immediate Dango Ouattara replacement from Liverpool	Ranked: Man City's top five most expensive players ever	Ranked: Tottenham's top five most expensive players ever

Upon completing the move, the Burkina Faso international will become Brentford‘s most expensive transfer of all time and should go a long way toward helping them replace Bryan Mbeumo — as well as the seemingly Newcastle-bound Yoane Wissa.

The capture of Ouattara is the latest move in what has been a free-spending period in Brentford’s history, with the Bees breaking their transfer record several times in the past few years.

With that in mind, here are their five most expensive transfers of all time.

Kevin Schade scored 11 Premier League goals last season (Credit: Imago)

Kevin Schade initially joined Brentford on loan in January 2023, but despite failing to score at the end of that campaign, he did enough to persuade his new employers to spend £22m on his permanent signature (BBC).

The German winger is terrifyingly fast and has steadily improved during his time at the Gtech Community Stadium, culminating in a return of 12 goals and three assists in 43 appearances across all competitions last season.

Only Bryan Mbeumo (20) and Wissa (19) scored more than his 11 Premier League goals for Brentford in 2024/25, and with it looking likely that Keith Andrews will now lose both those attacking pieces, Schade will carry a heavy burden this campaign.

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Nathan Collins has attracted attention from Liverpool (Credit: Imago)

There were some eyebrows raised when Brentford broke their transfer record to pay £23m for Nathan Collins in the summer of 2023 (BBC).

But Collins has been a rock at the back for the Bees and proven himself worth every penny, helping them finish 16th and 10th since he arrived.

In fact, so impressive has he been that Liverpool made an attempt to sign Collins this summer — as reported by Football Insider.

The Republic of Ireland international looks set to remain in London for now.

Despite only ever making four senior appearances for Liverpool, Brentford paid £25m (BBC) to bring Sepp van den Berg on board last summer — even beating then-German champions Bayer Leverkusen to the punch.

The Dutchman went on to play 31 times in the Premier League last season, starting 29 times and finishing in the top three among his teammates for blocks (52), clearances (134) and aerial duels won (94).

It only feels like a matter of time until Van den Berg gets a senior Netherlands call-up, while for Brentford, he’s been well worth the investment so far.

A massive £30m was spent on Igor Thiago last summer (BBC) and at the time, it looked like a sound investment.

After all, the Brazilian was fresh off a season in which he’d bagged 27 goals across all competitions for Club Brugge, including 18 in the Belgian Pro League to help his side win the title.

However, a serious injury derailed his debut season in the Premier League, and so far, Thiago has played just eight times for Brentford and is yet to score.

He should get a major opportunity this season given the attacking outgoings at Brentford, but for his own sake and that of his team, he simply must deliver.

Photo by Robin Jones – AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images

As mentioned, Brentford look set to part with a massive £42m for the services of Ouattara in what is a sensational spend for a club of their size.

Some will see it as a gamble.

However, the winger — who can also moonlight as a striker — notched nine goals and four assists in 37 appearances across all competitions last season, helping Bournemouth finish ninth in the Premier League and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
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