Brentford are close to signing Millwall youngster Josh Stephenson this summer – beating off interest from top flight rivals like Brighton, Everton and Southampton.
According to the BBC, the Bees are in talks with the 18-year-old over a move to the Premier League side.
Stephenson has yet to make the breakthrough into senior football but has attracted plenty of transfer interest.
He has impressed for the Lions at youth level, with his performances helping the team win the Professional Development League Cup, as well as reach the FA Youth Cup semi-finals last season.
But his future could lie away from the Den, with Brentford eyeing a five-year agreement with the defender.
Brentford in talks to sign Millwall starlet
It is understood that talks between Brentford and Stephenson are advanced, as they look to convince him to make the switch to the top flight club.
Brentford are reportedly planning to move the teenager into the B-team next season, with Thomas Frank lining up a pathway into the senior set up in the future.
Everton and Brighton had previously been linked with a move for the youngster, so this signing will come as a real coup for Brentford if they can get it over the line.
Southampton were also mentioned as a potential next destination, so the Bees have staved off the potential threat of multiple Premier League rivals in the race to his signature.
However, no agreement has yet been reached over a deal, with final steps still needed to complete the move.
It has also been confirmed by Millwall that they have offered the player a professional contract in a bid to convince him to stay with the Championship side.
While Stephenson’s contract has come to an end, the Lions will still be owed compensation if he does move to Brentford due to being under 24.
This fee can be negotiated between the two clubs, or else it will be decided by an independent tribunal.
Neil Harris will be looking to build a team capable of competing at a higher level in the Championship next season.
It has been a difficult last 12 months for the London club, who finished 13th in the table last year, 14 points adrift of the play-off places.
Macaulay Langstaff and Japhet Tanganga are among the new additions, as they look to bridge the gap to the top six.
The Lions have until 30 August to finalise any remaining incomings before the window shuts for the remainder of the calendar year.
Stephenson departure is a blow for Millwall
Stephenson never quite made the breakthrough into the Millwall first team squad, so this won’t have any immediate impact on Harris’ side.
However, his exit still comes as a blow to the club as he is someone that could’ve made an impact next season.
Given he will also depart for a minimal fee, it also means that Millwall have potentially lost out on a big fee for the player if they’d managed to tie him down to a professional contract.
Losing promising young prospects like that is something the club should be looking to avoid, and this could be a move they look back on with regret in the years to come.
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