Brentford are looking to bring in a midfielder and a winger before the January transfer window closes.
The Bees have allowed wideman Jota to return to Eibar on loan in order to help the Spaniard overcome personal issues; the popular 24-year-old penned an emotional 'see you later' message to supporters.
The club also sold holding midfielder Toumani Diagouraga to Leeds United, who Brentford face at Griffin Park tonight with the Frenchman expecting it to be the hardest game of his career.
And Brentford are keen to bring in replacements for the pair in the final week of the transfer window.
Head coach Dean Smith said: “We’re looking at bringing in players. I said it wouldn’t be before Tuesday but, before the window closes, we’re keen to bring people in.
“I’m looking to be a couple in still – a midfielder and a winger. We’ve got two young lads on loan there. We’re looking to strengthen that area and a midfielder as well.”
2016 January Transfer Window
Will close in
He added: “We’ve been in talks. We lost out on George Evans and we’re talking to others and talks can be pretty slow until you get closer to the deadline and they get rushed through very quickly.
“We would be looking for permanent deals to strengthen the squad. If anything else happened, we’d be looking at loans.”
Jamie Paterson has been linked with a move to Griffin Park over the past few days.
Smith worked with the 24-year-old at Walsall, first during his role in charge of the youth team then as manager.
Paterson moved to Nottingham Forest in July 2013 for an undisclosed fee and scored a hat-trick against West Ham in the FA Cup.
However, he has now been loaned out to Huddersfield on a season long loan with a view to a permanent deal with the Terriers and may be seen as an early summer transfer given the fact he represented the Tricky Trees before his departure.
Brentford, though, are reported to be keen on signing the 24-year-old, although Smith played down those rumours.
He added: “Jamie Paterson is a kid I had in the youth team at Walsall. He’s at Nottingham Forest on loan at Huddersfield.
“I don’t know anymore than that. He’s a player I like but he’s not my player. It’s not one I'm pursuing at the moment.”
Smith is hopeful that his squad won't be further weakened by departures and believes what he has at his disposal can be competitive in the Championship.
He explained: “I hope the squad won’t be weaker but I can’t see what’s happening. The squad we’ve got is competitive in this league.”
Were another player to depart though, Brentford would look to bring in further reinforcements in that area.
