Burnley’s failed bid for Brentford midfielder Alan Judge could have been timed better, says head coach Dean Smith.

The Clarets, who visits Griffin Park, tabled an offer for the Bees’ £8m-rated Republic of Ireland international midfielder earlier this week.

It is almost a carbon copy of the tactics that saw striker Andre Gray move to the former Premier League side ahead of the summer transfer window closing.

 

Brunley have also shown an interest in defender James Tarkowski in recent weeks and the coach Smith confirmed his situation had not changed.

But the Griffin Park chief reiterated the club's desire to hang on to their star men - unless the asking prices were met

“We do not want lose our best players, but everyone has a valuation and until that is met then nobody will be leaving," he said.

"It is key we keep Alan.  It can be unsettling, but a player like Alan Judge just gets on with his game.

"Burnley’s timing is not right, but that depends on how you view it with the game on Friday.

"I would hope to keep Alan. He has been a big player for us and we'd like that to continue."

He added: "We had a bid from Burnley for James [Tarkowski] and turned it down because it did not meet our valuation so the situation has not changed."