BRENTFORD has established itself as a leader in identifying hidden talents within the Premier League.

The remarkable efforts taken by the club prior to signing Mamadou Sangare highlight their status as one of the most astute operators in English football.

The Bees invested a club-record fee to bring the Mali international from Lens, exceeding the £42.5 million they paid Bournemouth for Dango Ouattara.

However, long before Sangare officially joined, Brentford had spent months creating an impressively detailed profile of the midfielder.

SunSport has learned that the club thoroughly vetted the 24-year-old, taking exceptional measures to understand both the footballer and the individual behind him.

Brentford is known for its analytical approach to recruitment, leveraging Smartodds, the sports analytics firm established by club owner Matthew Benham.

The club’s director of football, Phil Giles, has a background as head of quantitative research at the firm.

When Brentford shared their plans with Sangare and his agents, the thoroughness of their analysis was impressive.

Officials had examined his performances all the way back to his early career with Liefering, the affiliate club of Red Bull Salzburg.

They evaluated his growth, pinpointed his strengths and weaknesses, and outlined how they envisioned him fitting into their structure.

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Sangare was even presented with clips and statistics from his earliest professional matches, which left him astonished at how long the club had been tracking his progress.

This meticulous approach made a significant impact on the midfielder and his team.

Brentford’s manager, Keith Andrews, confirmed after his signing that the club had been monitoring him for years.

He noted: “Mamadou is someone we’ve had on our radar for quite a while. He was a player we were eager to bring in.”

While data is pivotal in recruitment across the Premier League, Brentford was determined to dig deeper.

SunSport has been informed that the club reached out to journalists in Mali, Sangare’s homeland, to obtain character references and gain insight into his personality.

They sought to understand how he coped with pressure, reacted to criticism, and navigated challenging situations.

The rationale was straightforward: statistics indicate Sangare’s skills on the pitch, but don’t reveal how he might handle adversity.

For instance, how would a record signing react to being benched?

Would he accept the manager’s choice, keep working hard and prioritize the team?

These were the key questions Brentford aimed to answer before committing such a substantial amount of money.

The club also reached out to some of his previous coaches and teammates to gain a clearer understanding of his mindset, attitude, and psychological makeup.

Their inquiries extended beyond the training facility.

SunSport has learned that Brentford even consulted staff at restaurants Sangare frequented during his time in France.

The objective was to know his character outside of football, including how he engaged with people in everyday interactions.

This was all part of a comprehensive vetting process designed to ensure they were signing not just the right player, but the right individual.

The feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

SunSport understands that Brentford conducted similar thorough investigations when scouting striker Igor Thiago, whom they tracked since his days in Bulgaria.

The Brazilian enjoyed a stellar season, netting 22 goals in the Premier League, reinforcing the club’s reputation for identifying talent ahead of their competitors.

Yet, Brentford’s recruitment strategy encompasses more than simply assessing a player’s ability.

It’s also about persuading players that west London is the ideal setting for their career growth.

The Bees developed a presentation for potential signings that showcases their incredible journey from lower league obscurity to the Premier League.

They highlight how many players have come aboard with relatively modest backgrounds only to become stars valued at tens of millions.

Ivan Toney, Bryan Mbeumo, and Yoane Wissa exemplify the success stories that illustrate what is achievable at the club.

All three thrived at Brentford before making lucrative transfers elsewhere.

This track record played a significant role in encouraging Sangare to opt for the Bees, even amid interest from other European teams.

In his early interviews in English football, he acknowledged: “Yes, there was interest from major European clubs.”

“However, I will refrain from mentioning names out of respect.

“Many clubs showed interest, but for me, it was essential to know where I could advance my career. Brentford offered the best opportunity for my development.”

A former teammate of Sangare from his time at Liefering believes the midfielder made an ideal choice.

Amankwah Forson, who spent last season at Norwich, shared with SunSport: “I believe he’s a perfect match for Brentford.

“His talent is indisputable. Even during his time in Austria, he showcased immense potential.

“He simply needs a platform to showcase his abilities, and I believe the Premier League will recognize his talent before the season concludes.

“I’m confident of that.”

Sangare has made an explosive start in west London, though adapting to the rigours of English football hasn’t been completely smooth.

Yehor Yarmolyuk has stepped into the starting lineup in recent Premier League matches as the Mali international continues his adjustment period.

However, there’s little worry among those who’ve closely observed his evolution.

Brentford is optimistic they’ve acquired another exceptional talent poised to become one of the Premier League’s most coveted midfielders.

If Sangare evolves into a £100 million star in the coming years, many at the club will be delighted.

After all, they understand better than anyone the effort it took to bring him on board.