Brentford are still in the transfer market and Dean Smith is shopping to find two wingers at the right price.

The Bees have struggled to add to their squad this summer with their three permanent deals all being out of contract stars from the lower divisions.

However, the transfer market is even more inflated given the new television deal and the banning of emergency loans meaning that, for the likes of Brentford, it is even harder to compete with the big-budget clubs.

But Smith is hopeful of bringing in players either on permanent transfers or loan signings, with Chris Willock from Arsenal the latest player linked.

“We're still shopping and we're hoping to get a couple of bargains. The market has been tough but we feel that we're getting there. We don't want to run it until the end of the window,” Smith said.

(Image: Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

“We're looking at a couple. I've spoken for the last month or so that we need wide players. It's an area we're short and we've been looking for a long time. We believe we're close but getting it over the line can take a long time.

“We're looking at loans and permanent transfers. Permanent deals are great as they're your player and you own them and put more value on them but we've had success with loans as well.

“Jake Bidwell and Harlee Dean came in on loan and ended up signing. Sergi Canos came on loan and was fantastic as were John Swift and Alex Pritchard. These clubs can see we develop them in the right way.”

This is Smith's first summer with Brentford and he finds himself in a similar position to what he found at Walsall, although he could only sign players on free transfers or loans at the Bescot Stadium.

Smith added: “When I was at Walsall I didn't have money to play with. It's different as there's a new system in place. There's no emergency loan to go back on.

(Image: Lewis Darling)

“You have to build your squad to last until January. There have been clubs with more funds than others who are stockpiling more with the idea of having a safety net if they have an injury crisis.”

Brentford's first XI looks strong for a Championship side but there appears to be little in reserve in the event of an injury crisis but Smith believes the talent in the club's B team can make the leap into first team football.

He added: “I think we've got a squad of 21, 22 which includes the likes of Tom Field and Jan Holldack.

“We've got some bright players in Chris Mepham and Reece Cole and Zain Westbrook in the B team. We feel that's a strength of ours. We feel they should step up to the plate if needed.”

Smith remarked that clubs have demanded a fee of £1million to sign players on loan and, while Brentford don't have the funds to enter that part of the market, the Bees head coach sees it as a calculated risk for other clubs.

He explained: “That was reputed and if that is the case it's not a market we're in. The thing is I think people take a calculated risk as the rewards of getting into the Premier League are extortionate so is paying a £1million loan fee worth it as fees can go up.

“The TV money figures – anyone who is in the Premier League next year, whether they get relegated or not, gets an extortionate amount of money and will have an unfair advantage the following year in the Championship.”

Newcastle, for instance, have spent over £40million in transfer fees, although they have received more from player sales and Aston Villa have a net spend in excess of £20m at this moment this summer.

Those numbers are greater than Brentford's budget for the season and Smith sees it as a great challenge to pit the club's wits against the financial behemoths rather than a doomed mission.

(Image: Lewis Darling)

He revealed: “I think it's a great challenge and the club sees it as that. The owner sees it as that. It's a chance to test our wits against anyone else.

“There's more to it than money as if it was down to that we may as well give up now. We as a club see that as a great challenge and one we can compete at.

“The teams coming down have an unfair financial advantage. We believe it's not just that and can compete in different ways.”