Premier League clubs on alert as Brentford manager issues update on Alan Judge’s future

This should make for very interesting reading for several Premier League clubs.

Brentford manager Dean Smith is worried that he may lose Alan Judge for close to nothing unless a new deal for his star player is sorted out soon. The 27 year old has been one of the best players in the Championship this season, and has grabbed 12 goals despite the club being on their third manager this term. The Dubliner is hoping to force his way into the Ireland squad for this summer’s European Championships, and Smith is concerned that the club are not acting quickly enough to reward Judge for his fine form. His current deal at the club runs out in just over 12 months, and Smith is anxious the player could leave in the summer as his profile rises.

“There is no update. It's in the hands of the co-directors of football and it will continue that way, but I've not been updated on anything. "I've waxed lyrical about him before. He's a very good footballer for us and, for the rest of the team as well, he adds that bit of experience."

The club rejected two bids for the player in January from Burnley and Sheffield Wednesday, and he is also understood to have been monitored by a number of Premier League sides too. Judge is likely to finally get a chance to impress for Ireland in at least one of our upcoming friendlies next month, which may push his value up as well as heightening his profile. Smith knows how hungry the 27-year-old is to get to this summer’s Euro 2016 in France.

"He's having a very good season with his goal tally, and I think his focus is getting in the Republic of Ireland squad for the Euros," Smith said. "Whether he goes or not is Martin O'Neill's decision but if he phones me up I can only give him positives about Alan."