Young winger linked with Brentford loan

Brentford are hoping to take Chris Willock on loan for the duration of the 2016-17 season.

The 18 year old winger is extremely highly rated, and tipped to be a genuine star of the future, but is unlikely to get anything other than Capital One Cup football if he were to stay.

Playing regularly for the Championship side would be fantastic for his development, and he’s been a fixture in first team training as well as making the squad for the US tour earlier this summer.

Brentford coach Dean Smith said, “I’m hoping to bring a couple in. We have been all window and we’re getting very close now. I’m sure there will be a couple of new faces in the squad,” Smith said.

“We’re trying to do a deal with a couple of clubs at this time and if we can get them done I’ll be very pleased. I believe the players want to come but it’s about doing a deal with a football club.”

Speaking to the official site last week, Jack Wilshere tipped him to be one of the season’s break-out youngsters if he got the chance to play.

“I’ve played with Chris for a few years in training and last year he came on. I think he has improved, he has become stronger and he is one of those players that have a natural ability running with the ball,” he said.

“He can take contact well if someone smashes into him. He has got great balance… if Chris gets his chance I’m sure he will take it.”

If he does join, Willock would join a list of young Arsenal players who have had loan spells at Brentford, including Wojciech Szczesny, Jon Toral and Chuba Akpom.