BRENTFORD have joined the race to land Hibs striker Kevin Nisbet.
SunSport understands the English Championship side have been keeping tabs on the Scotland international after a stunning first season in the Premiership.
Nisbet has netted 17 goals, including three in his last four games, to help Jack Ross’ side to third in the table.
The 24-year-old missed last Saturday’s 1-0 home defeat to St Johnstone through injury but is available for this weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final with Dundee United at Hampden.
Birmingham City saw a £3million bid rejected for Nisbet in the January transfer window as the Hibees hierarchy were desperate to hold on to their goal machine.
Now their English Championship rivals could be ready to swoop as they look to start making plans for next season.
Their own star striker Ivan Toney – who had talks with Celtic last summer – is being tracked by several English Premier League sides, including West Ham who are keen to secure his signature.
The 25-year-old only joined the Bees last summer in a £5m switch, but has netted 30 goals to help Thomas Franke’s side secure their place in the promotion play-offs and is now valued at around £35m.
Brentford have a reputation for bringing in younger players and developing them before selling them on for big profit.
Ollie Watkins joined the club from Exeter City in 2017 for around £2m before being sold to Aston Villa for £28m last summer.
With Toney looking set for a summer exit, the Bees are looking at potential replacements with Nisbet high on their list.
The striker’s stunning form for the Easter Road side saw him earn a first international call-up by Scotland boss Steve Clarke for March’s World Cup qualifiers.
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With Nisbet also expected to be included in the 26-man squad for this summer’s European Championship finals.
The Easter Road side won’t sell the player – who they paid Dunfermline £300,000 last July – on the cheap.
Defenders Ryan Porteous and Josh Doig are also attracting interest from English sides.
With Hibs owner Ron Gordon confirming last month that ‘one or two’ of their prized assets could be sold this summer.
He said: “I think that maybe one, maybe two could have the opportunity to move this summer.
“I don’t think we should undervalue our players, I won’t consider us just as a selling club.”
Boss Ross is keen to hold onto Nisbet but knows a big money bid could see the striker move on this summer.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
