Sheffield Wednesday fans have speculated in recent weeks that their side may be interested in Brentford captain and central defender, Harlee Dean, and there seems to be a real excitement around Hillsborough that the club can get a deal done.

Former Southampton youngster Dean has been with the Bees since a loan spell in 2011 was turned into a permanent deal the following year, and the 26-year-old has flourished and developed into a solid Championship defender during his spell in West London.

With just a year remaining on his current contract, speculation has begun to mount about the player’s next move, and Wednesday fans feel that the Basingstoke born defender’s future lies in South Yorkshire.

Dean is an extremely strong, confident centre half, and his influence at Griffin Park in recent years is undisputed.

Helping the club to promotion and establishing them as Championship promotion candidates fills the CV of the player, and it comes as no surprise that other clubs are monitoring his situation.

Dean is suspended for Brentford’s opening game, ironically at Sheffield United, this weekend, and publicly declared to his teammates that he is out to recapture his starting spot when he returns from his lay off.

However, unlike in previous years when Dean was one of the first names on the team sheet, things may be much more challenging this time out.

With Yoann Barbet, Andreas Bjelland and John Egan just some of the names fighting for a starting spot at the heart of the Bees defence, competition for places is fierce.

Wednesday are in need of further defensive reinforcements as they look to secure promotion after consecutive years of playoff heartbreak, and moving for Dean could be a clever move.

If the right offer came in for the player, Brentford would begrudgingly accept, as with just a year remaining on his deal, it is unlikely the club will wish to see the player walk for nothing next summer.

It would be a real blow losing the influential Dean, but with the depth on offer at Brentford, the club could certainly recover.

How much would it take to prise Dean from Griffin Park, Bees fans?