Brentford manager Keith Andrews has shut down rumours linking star striker Igor Thiago with a January transfer, insisting the Brazilian is “absolutely going nowhere” amid interest from Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, and Newcastle United.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of Brentford’s clash with Crystal Palace, Andrews was adamant that Thiago remains a crucial part of his project — and that neither the player nor the club have any intention of entertaining mid-season offers.
“Thiago Is Going Absolutely Nowhere”
When asked directly about reports suggesting Premier League rivals were preparing January bids, Andrews didn’t hesitate to shut them down.
“I’ve said over the past few weeks, I was really happy when the last transfer window closed,” he said. “We’re not even in November, so I’m not going to talk about a transfer window that is two months away. Thiago is going absolutely nowhere — absolutely nowhere. He’s a pivotal part of this football club, he doesn’t want to go anywhere. That won’t be happening.” — Keith Andrews, Brentford manager
Andrews’ firm response follows a wave of speculation after Tottenham, Villa, and Newcastle were all linked with the striker, who has been one of the Premier League’s standout performers so far this season.
Thiago’s Red-Hot Form Continues
Since the summer departures of Bryan Mbuemo (to Manchester United) and Yoane Wissa (to Newcastle), Thiago has emerged as Brentford’s new talisman. The 22-year-old has seven goals in ten matches across all competitions — six of them coming in the Premier League — putting him second only to Erling Haaland in the scoring charts heading into Gameweek 10.
| Stat (2025/26) | Igor Thiago |
|---|---|
| Matches Played | 10 |
| Goals | 7 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Big Chances Missed | 5 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 4.47 |
| Passing Accuracy | 71% |
source: Sofascore – October 2025
The striker’s ability to combine physical presence with intelligent movement has made him a nightmare for defenders — and a key reason why Brentford have continued to compete despite major summer exits.
Tottenham and Villa Interest Explained
Both Tottenham and Aston Villa have been monitoring Thiago closely. Spurs are still searching for a long-term successor to Harry Kane, while Villa’s Unai Emery is believed to admire Thiago’s work rate and finishing ability as a potential addition to strengthen their forward line.
However, Brentford’s stance is clear — no sale, no negotiations. With Andrews still in the early stages of shaping his tenure after replacing Thomas Frank, the club view Thiago as an untouchable figure in their rebuild.
Our View: The Right Message from Andrews
In our view, Andrews’ strong words were necessary. Brentford’s model depends on maintaining momentum mid-season, and losing their top scorer in January would risk derailing that. The clarity of his message sends a strong signal to both rival clubs and Thiago’s representatives: this is not a team open for business in January.
Key Insights
- Keith Andrews rules out January exit for Igor Thiago, calling him “pivotal.”
- The striker has 7 goals in 10 games so far this season.
- Tottenham, Aston Villa, and Newcastle were reportedly preparing January bids.
- Brentford’s new manager insists the player “doesn’t want to go anywhere.”
- Thiago’s xG sits at 4.47, showing elite finishing efficiency.
What’s Next
Brentford face Crystal Palace this weekend as they look to build on a solid start to the season. Thiago, in red-hot form, will once again lead the line as Andrews’ side aim for a third win in four matches.
👉 Brentford fans — how important is it that the club resist January bids for Igor Thiago?
By John William — FootballPlace.co.uk ·
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