EXCLUSIVE By Pete O’Rourke

Arsenal have opened talks about loaning rising star Jordi Osei-Tutu to Brentford for next season, Football Insider understands.

The 20-year-old defender has been the subject of interest from clubs on the Continent about a permanent move as they look to offer him a quicker pathway to first-team football than at Emirates Stadium.

An Arsenal source has told Football Insider that the club have high hopes for Osei-Tutu but are open to a loan move and discussions are underway with Championship outfit Brentford.

Football Insider revealed last month that Hamburg have firmed up their interest in Osei-Tutu by making a bid for the full-back, and there is also interest from German rivals Bochum and French duo Rennes and Strasbourg for his signature.

Brentford’s willingness to negotiate a loan leaves them well placed to win the race for the versatile defender, who can also operate on the right side of midfield.

Osei-Tutu has impressed for Arsenal’s Under-23s side in the last couple of seasons, but has yet to make his first-team debut despite being on the bench for games under Unai Emery and ex-manager Arsene Wenger.

Brentford are well established in the Championship and finished 11th last season despite losing ex-manager Dean Smith to Aston Villa midway through the campaign.

In other Arsenal news, it can be REVEALED that a senior midfielder has told the club he wants to quit as exit talks underway.