SOUTHEND United right-back Simon Francis has met with Brentford for transfer talks.

As revealed in last week’s Echosport the Bees have had a £150,000 offer accepted for the 25-year-old defender.

And, having now returned from a holiday in Cyprus, Francis has opened talks with Griffin Park boss Andy Scott.

“Simon has spoken with the Brentford manager and those talks went OK,” confirmed a source close to Blues.

“They are planning to bring in a few more players this summer and are looking to be going for promotion.”

However, the Echo understands that Francis is in no rush to make a decision on his future.

The former Bradford City full-back, who was named Southend’s player of the year last season, is keen to join a club in the Championship or a big League One side who are expected to be towards the top of the table.

He will therefore wait to see who else becomes interested in signing him before finalising his future.

Francis joined Blues from Sheffield United in June 2006 and has made 180 appearances for the club.

But, following Southend’s relegation from League One last season he is now keen to quit Roots Hal.

And other first team players are expected to follow in his foot-steps with doubts also remaining over the futures of Steve Mildenhall, Adam Barrett, Franck Moussa and Alan McCormack.

>Blues have added another pre-season friendly to their schedule and will now host Ipswich Town at Roots Hall on Friday July 9, kick off 7.45pm.