Brentford are on the verge of completing their second notable signing of the summer after agreeing a deal in principle to bring Jaidon Anthony to west London from Burnley. The fee is reported to be in the region of £15m, rising to £17m should certain add-ons be triggered — a significant outlay for a club that narrowly missed European football last season.

The 26-year-old forward contributed nine goals and four assists across 38 appearances in all competitions during the 2024–25 campaign, form that kept Burnley afloat at the Championship level before their relegation from the Premier League. Anthony is now understood to be ready to put pen to paper on a four-year contract, with an option for a further year, and his medical is provisionally scheduled for Monday.

A London Return Long in the Making

There is a certain neatness to the move. Anthony is a London-born player who first came into the professional game through Arsenal's academy, departing the club in 2016 without making a senior appearance. His path since has been one of gradual, unglamorous progression — loan spells at Weymouth and Leeds United, followed by a steady rise at Bournemouth that earned him a reputation as an energetic, direct wide player capable of contributing at both ends of the pitch.

The move to Burnley arrived on loan in 2024, and when the Clarets won promotion to the Premier League, an £8m obligation-to-buy clause was triggered, making the deal permanent. The top-flight experience, even in a team that ultimately went down, will have done his stock little harm. Brentford manager Keith Andrews is said to view Anthony as a strong fit for the style of play he intends to implement at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Building Quietly but Purposefully

Brentford's summer business has proceeded without great fanfare, which is broadly in keeping with how the club has operated in recent years. Anthony follows defender Jannik Schuster, who arrived from RB Salzburg in a deal worth up to £16m including add-ons. Neither signing will set the market alight, but both suggest a club working methodically within its means.

The context for the recruitment drive is an encouraging one. Brentford finished ninth in the Premier League last season, missing out on European qualification only on goal difference — a result that will have stung given how close the club came to a genuinely historic achievement. Andrews will be keen to ensure that finishing position is treated as a floor rather than a ceiling, and reinforcing the attacking options is a logical starting point.

Anthony's direct, high-energy approach would appear to complement the pressing, transition-heavy football that has become synonymous with Brentford in the post-Thomas Frank era. The market will be watching to see whether further signings follow before the season gets under way, with Brentford facing Tottenham in their opening Premier League fixture.

For Burnley, the sale represents a reasonable return on an asset they acquired for £8m not so long ago, though the manner in which the funds will be reinvested will matter greatly as Scott Parker's side prepare to resume Championship life. Their first fixture back in the second tier comes against West Ham on 16 August.

Frequently asked

How much are Brentford paying for Jaidon Anthony?
Brentford are set to pay Burnley £15m for Jaidon Anthony, with the fee potentially rising to £17m if add-ons are triggered.
What contract is Jaidon Anthony signing at Brentford?
Anthony is understood to be signing a four-year contract at Brentford, with an option for an additional year built into the agreement.
What clubs has Jaidon Anthony played for before Brentford?
Anthony came through Arsenal's academy before joining Bournemouth, where he established himself as a regular. He had loan spells at Weymouth and Leeds United along the way, before joining Burnley on loan in 2024 — a move that was made permanent after their promotion to the Premier League.