Brentford or any other interested party have until 5pm today to activate Omari Hutchinson’s £35 million relegation release clause.

The Athletic revealed earlier today that the Bees had made an offer to the Blues yesterday which fell well short of the clause included in the forward’s contract when he signed for £20 million plus a further £2.5 million in top-ups from Chelsea last summer.

Town have no intention of selling Hutchinson this summer, while no club aside from Brentford have made an offer up to now.

But if an offer at that figure is made before this afternoon’s deadline, then they would be forced to accept. A sale at £35 million would see the Blues make a profit of around £12.5 million.

Given the West Londoners’ approach was so far short, it’s not anticipated they will come back with a bid which will trigger the clause, particularly with their interest being dependent on Bryan Mbeumo moving to Manchester United, a deal which appears to have stalled.

However, it’s still likely to be a nervy day for Town fans hoping that the Blues will keep hold of Hutchinson ahead of their Championship campaign.

Hutchinson, who has four years remaining on his Blues 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 most seemingly speculatively with sources on Merseyside subsequently playing down the Toffees’ interest.

Photo: Matchday Images

Paulc added 12:39 - Jul 15 Is it 5 o'clock yet?
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TheMover added 12:41 - Jul 15 It is somewhere!
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Karlosfandangal added 12:42 - Jul 15 New contract for Hutchinson could be on the cards if he stays
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RIPbobby added 12:52 - Jul 15 The thing that is odd to me is why has these details been released today? Normally the club are very cloak and dagger with anything like this. Does releasing this mean they are happy for the player to go? Just a bit confused by it. It kind of gives the last day of a transfer window feel to it all.
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SamWhiteUK added 12:56 - Jul 15 It'll have been leaked by Omari's agent, not by the club.
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flykickingbybgunn added 12:57 - Jul 15 Sat here biteing my finger nails down to the elbow.
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Paulc added 12:57 - Jul 15 Karlosfandangal - Why do you keep banging on about a new deal? He has 4 yrs left on a contract he signed in the prem. What do you KNOW that the rest of us don't?
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bluesissy added 13:08 - Jul 15 It's got to be 5pm or after somewhere in the world..
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darkhorse28 added 13:31 - Jul 15 There’s talented generals and lucky generals. Another one that’s going to go against us. Would have suited us better in hindsight to have a date at the end of this month. He won’t be any of those clubs number one target, yet I suspect one or two will end up wanting him, closer to the deadline, when other prospects and sales are concluded. We won’t turn down anywhere near £30 million. So he could leave close to the window closing…, and not knowing if we can remove his liabilities from the P&L or not until then, will limit our business. Brett’s statement also adds to a lack of urgency…, if you know a club want to sell, and he’s not other clubs number one target, you run the window down. £25-30 million. Sigh. On the plus side, if Clarke, Broadhead leave, maybe there’s a chance to retain him .., assuming he’s up for 50 odd games at this level.

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muhrensleftfoot added 15:43 - Jul 15 This news of a deadline of today sounds like good news to me. After today, we just don't need to sell unless a crazy offer comes in, which seems unlikely. Hutch will be a star in the Championship!
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wischip added 16:06 - Jul 15 Into the last hour. Tense, innit. It feels like the opening scene of 'Once Upon a Time in the West'
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smithlarr added 17:26 - Jul 15 Well... guess he's safe?
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churchmans added 17:49 - Jul 15 Phew!! He is still with us!!
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armchaircritic59 added 17:54 - Jul 15 Wischip, oh my, I'm not a film buff, but that is one hell of a movie, everyone should watch it, the irritating fly at the start sets it up, then bang! Lets hope there's no irritating clubs turning up at the last minute for OH, he'll tear the Championship to shreads. As I type it's 5.54pm, not heard anything.
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chepstowblue added 19:43 - Jul 15 Keeping Omari is a must. The only player in the squad with genuine X factor. I'm still angry that Burgess was allowed to leave. Hutch's departure would have me doubting a top six finish let alone automatic.
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Marcus added 22:35 - Jul 15 Have the daleks gone yet?
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