Speaking to West London Sport, Dean Smith has confirmed that Brentford have received no bids for Harlee Dean so far this summer.

Dean’s contract at Griffin Park has just a year remaining on it, and Smith believes that the player’s agent is attempting to sell him to other clubs.

Despite that, Smith confirmed that the Bees had received no bids for the 26-year-old, who will be able to leave on a free in less than 12-months.

Smith has opted to strip the defender of the Brentford captaincy, insisting that it will not be handed back to him until his future is resolved.

Dean missed Brentford’s 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United through injury, but returned for the Carabao Cup victory over AFC Wimbledon, but was not wearing the captain’s armband.

Nico Yennaris was Brentford’s captain on Tuesday evening, leading the Bees to a 3-1 victory.

Speaking about Dean’s current situation with Brentford, Smith said: “At the moment he’s in a little bit of limbo with contract negotiations and while that’s going on I think it’s right that somebody else carries the armband at the moment.

“We’ve had no bids from anybody. His representatives have been in talks with the football club but I’m sure his representatives are also pitching him round to other clubs as well.”

Dean has been with Brentford for the last six-and-a-half years, making 246 appearances for the Bees.

The defender is back in contention to add to that tally in the Sky Bet Championship over the next week, when Brentford go in search of their first points of the season.

Smith’s side host both Nottingham Forest and Bristol City in the coming week, two clubs that picked up three-points on the opening weekend of the season.

The Verdict

Dean’s contract situation at Brentford needs sorting out as quickly as possible, with it not healthy for either the club or the player to have their thoughts elsewhere heading into an important season for the Bees.

Brentford have ambitions of bettering last season’s tenth-placed finish and Dean will be key to their chances of a top-six finish, with the defender establishing himself as one of the best in the Championship.

The Bees got off to a slow start in the Championship last week, and will be hoping the return of Dean will help them pick up their first points of the season.

Brentford fans… Let us know your thoughts!