Bees keen on Stevenage defender Wilmot

Brentford are among the clubs keen on highly-rated young Stevenage defender Ben Wilmot.

West London Sport reports that the Bees are interested in the 18-year-old centre-back, who has been linked with Premier League clubs.

Tottenham and Arsenal have been heavily linked with Wilmot, who is widely regarded as one of the EFL’s best up and coming prospects.

He was recently left out of the Stevenage squad and the League Two club indicated it was because they believed a deal to sell him was close.

That led to reports that Watford had beaten off competition from Arsenal and Spurs and were set to sign Wilmot in a £1.5m deal.

However, Watford later insisted they had ended their interest in Wilmot, who has made 15 first-team appearances for Stevenage.

He is known to have been monitored by several Championship and Premier League clubs, including Brighton.

West London Sport suggest Wilmot has been identified as a possible replacement for Andreas Bjelland at Brentford.

Defender Bjelland’s contract at Griffin Park expires this summer and there has been no sign of him signing a new deal.