With clubs mostly unwilling to lose key players midway through the campaign, it is rare to see a deal go through in January that looks like good business for the buyers. But Brentford’s acquisition of Oxford United duo Shandon Baptiste and Tariqe Fosu for a reported combined £3 million had many casting envious glances.



Those close to the Oxford side of the deal maintain that the fee could be significantly more but high-flying Brentford gaining praise for their recruitment is nothing new — owner Matthew Benham and director of football Rasmus Ankersen have implemented one of the most advanced player trading systems in football and through its fruits, are chasing promotion to the Premier League.



Any fans of League One Oxford who watched Brentford’s 5-1 demolition of Hull City on Saturday would be forgiven for wondering whether Brentford really needed to swoop for two of their star assets in the middle of a campaign in which they have their own...