It appears that Brentford are on the verge of bringing in a new centre-back, with Bjorn Engels on the way to Griffin Park. As reported by Sky Sports, the Belgian defender is being targeted as a replacement for John Egan, who recently joined Sheffield United.

The signature would be something if a coup and at a great price, with the Daily Mail suggesting he will cost around £3.5 million.

Of course, not many Brentford fans will be familiar with the Olympiakos stopper. However, fans of Arsenal probably are.

Because Engels was once heavily linked with joining Arsene Wenger’s side. In the summer of 2016, it appeared that Arsenal were all set to get their hands on the then Club Brugge talent.

But he reportedly rejected a move, explaining why to Het Laatste Nieuws.

“That is a bridge too far for me at the moment.”

– Bjorn Engels on why he did not join Arsenal

Engels felt he was not ready for Arsenal two summers ago and last summer headed to Greece.

But after one season his time in Greece is at an end. He disappointed in the Greek Superleague. Olympiakos had a poor campaign, finishing 3rd, and many of the club’s foreign players were told to no longer attend training at the club. Engels, however, was not one of those players – playing in the final four games of a disappointing season. But his form was patchy and he did find himself in and out of the squad.

But Brentford have an excellent ball-playing defender on their hands who perhaps just needs to take a step back before he takes another one forward. Engels could be a star in South-West London.