West Bromwich Albion are one of several clubs keen on signing Brentford left-back Rico Henry this summer, according to the Daily Mail.

The 23-year-old was a crucial part of Brentford’s Championship campaign that saw them narrowly miss out on promotion following their 2-1 defeat to Fulham in the Play-off Final.

He featured in all 46 Championship matches for the Bees and 51 across all competitions, providing three assists.

Henry was born and bred in Birmingham and was developed in Walsall’s academy, moving through the ranks before eventually being promoted to the senior squad in 2014 when he was 17 years old.

Dean Smith, who was manager of Walsall at the time, spoke to the BBC in 2015 and had this to say about the hot prospect:

If I were keen to liken him to anyone it would be a young Ashley Cole. And it’s up to him how far he can now go in the game.

I’ve recommended him a couple of times to the England Under-19s because, if there’s a better left-sided player in the country at 18 years of age, I’d like to see them.

That’s probably me being a little bit biased because I know the kid and what he has to offer. He’s got a great desire and a will to win. His attitude and application to everything he does is spot on.

The Daily Mail article also mentions that Brighton, West Ham and Leeds are interested in the full-back, so the Baggies will have to move quickly to get their man.

And with Kieran Gibbs now looking to be on his way out, Rico Henry could be the ideal replacement and slot into the first team at once.

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