Blues forward Omari Hutchinson’s £35 million relegation release clause is reportedly set to expire today.
Yesterday, Premier League Brentford were said to see Hutchinson as a potential replacement for Bryan Mbeumo should the Cameroon international move to Manchester United.
According to The Athletic, the Bees made an approach for Hutchinson yesterday but with a deal looking unlikely as it stands and the Town attacker one of a handful of players they see as possible alternatives to Mbeumo.
The West Londoners’ valuation is said to have fallen well short of the £35 million relegation release clause which is reportedly set to expire today.
Hutchinson, who has four years remaining on his Town contract, is currently away on holiday having been given additional time off following the England U21s’ successful European Championship campaign.
The former Chelsea man’s displays at the tournament did his reputation no harm with the Bees, Everton, West Ham, Fulham, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig among those linked during the competition, although with sources on Merseyside subsequently playing down the Toffees’ interest.
Town will want to keep hold of Hutchinson, who signed on a permanent basis from Chelsea last summer for a club record initial £20 million plus a further £2.5 million in top-ups.