CHAMPIONSHIP outfit Brentford have rejected Cherries' approach for highly-rated defender Chris Mepham, according to West London Sport.

Cherries were reportedly planning to bid around £10million for the Wales international but were told Brentford would not contemplate selling the 20-year-old.

Mepham was first watched by Cherries while playing for Brentford’s B team before boss Eddie Howe ran the rule over him last season.

Towards the end of the January transfer window, Sky Sports claimed Cherries had made a bid of £5.5million bid, plus add-ons, for Mepham which was turned down.

Hammersmith-born Mepham has four years remaining on his contract at Griffin Park and was on Chelsea’s books prior to joining the Bees, aged 14.

Mepham, who has made 24 appearances for Brentford, made his senior international debut for Wales when he came off the bench during a 6-0 win against China in March.

He earned his first start for his country in front of a crowd of more than 82,000 in a 0-0 draw against Mexico at the end of last month.