Bees boss hoping to keep ‘chocolate’ Judge

Head coach Dean Smith admits Alan Judge may leave Brentford before the transfer window closes if a club meets his valuation.

A number of Championship sides have been monitoring Judge in recent months and Sheffield Wednesday had an approach rejected soon after the January window opened.

The 27-year-old playmaker has scored 12 times this season and is hoping his career-best form will see him included in the Republic of Ireland squad for this summer’s European Championships.

Smith said: “It’s very hard to know what’s going to happen. Everyone has a value and if that value is met then it’s very difficult to say no to. But we want to keep him here.

“He’s had a fruitful season in front of goal, his best ever. His ultimate aim is to get into that Irish squad for the Euros and he’s certainly going the right way about it.

“There’s a culture about the place that he likes, he’s given freedom out on the football pitch, and if he were to go anywhere else he’s not guaranteed that.

“I’ve got a little transfer window calendar and on 2 February when I open it hopefully it’s a big, chocolate Alan Judge!”