Dean Smith confirms desire to extend West Ham and Everton target Jota’s contract

Follow us on Google Discover

West Ham United and Everton are both interested in Brentford playmaker Jota, but Dean Smith is determined to keep him.

Brentford’s Jota

Brentford boss Dean Smith has confirmed that he would like to extend Jota’s contract beyond next summer as he attempts to keep the Spaniard away from the host of Premier League side’s currently chasing his signature, Get West London reports.

According to Get West London, West Ham, Everton and Burnley all want the 26-year-old after his sensational season at Griffin Park, and the Bees could be left in a difficult position if they do not act quickly.

Jota’s contract with Brentford expires next summer, meaning that the club could risk losing him for free in a year or for a significantly lower fee in January if they do not agree an extension, which could perhaps tempt them to cash in this summer if the playmaker decided to make it clear that he wants to leave.

But Smith is determined to disappoint the Hammers, Toffees and Clarets and bring an end to any speculation by agreeing an extension with Jota.

West Ham have been linked with a move, as have Everton and Burnley

“It’s one I’ll discuss with Phil and Rasmus. We want to keep him at the club as long as possible,” Smith said, as reported by Get West London.

“He showed what we was about in the last half of the season and he was magnificent. It’d be good if we can keep him longer for the football club.”

It is not surprising that Brentford are keen to agree a new deal, nor why the likes of West Ham and Everton are interested in signing him.

Brentford manager Dean Smith

The attacking midfielder scored 12 goals in just 21 Championship games for the Bees, while also contributing five assists following the end of his loan spell at Eibar in December.

And it would surely be fair to suggest that had he been at Griffin Park all season and been capable of sustaining that form throughout the entire year, Smith’s men would undoubtedly have been even closer to the play-off places, perhaps even breaking into the top six.