CHERRIES are negotiating with Brentford over defender Chris Mepham.

The Dorset club have long been linked with the highly-rated 21-year-old, who is understood to be keen on a move to Vitality Stadium.

Sky claimed Cherries had failed with £5.5million and £10m bids for the Welsh international in the past two transfer windows.

And The Sun stated an offer around £15m would be tabled for the Hammersmith-born ace, although the Daily Echo understands any deal would see Cherries part with significantly less than that.

Mepham has also reportedly attracted interest from Southampton.

He made his first-team debut for Brentford in the 2016-17 campaign but only cemented his position in the starting XI last season.

Mepham has made 48 appearances for the London club and has earned four Wales caps since his debut for Ryan Giggs’s side in March 2018.