Still admits Gray deal would be ‘lovely’ business for Hatters

The 24-year-old left Kenilworth Road for the Bees in June of last year for a fee around £600,000 mark, with Town inserting a sell-on clause too believed to be 20%.

Recently relegated Hull City launched a £9m bid for Gray and his team-mates Moses Odubajo on Thursday and although joking he would sign six new players by Monday should the deal go ahead over the weekend, Still said: “He was here before us and don’t forget when we started the season Andre wasn’t in the team, but he worked really hard.

“Along with the other people that would have managed here and coached here, we’ve had an input into his growth. I think we’ve taught him different skills, we perhaps helped him to find the right finish in front of goal, and he picked it up fantastic,

“He’s done well, if he gets another opportunity for him to push on good for him, I’d be delighted for him. For the club it would be a lovely bit of business if it works, for the player, a fantastic bit of business if it works.”

Speaking to getwestlondon.co.uk, Bees boss Marinus Dijkhuizen confirmed he is hoping to keep hold of Gray, who unlike Odubajo, doesn’t have a release claue in his contract.

He said: “There is interest from Hull City. Andre has no clause. We want to keep him. Everybody is for sale but at the right price for Brentford.

“He’s a good player and a big striker and can improve. He came from Luton and he’ll be much better than he was. We’ll see. I hope he is in my squad for the weekend.”

Still also didn’t rule out the chance of linking up with Gray sometime in the future once more, as he signed ex-players Craig Mackail-Smith, Danny Green and Magnus Okuonghae for the Hatters this year.

He added: “What pleases me is that he goes on again, he went on from us, well done. If he goes on again, absolutely, I love it.

“Maybe Andre Gray will be the Craig Mackail-Smith or something like that. There might come a time where for whatever reason, this isn’t right, that isn’t right, he comes back and plays here again, how fantastic that would be?”