SOUTHEND United manager Steve Tilson is not sure Simon Francis will be keen to join Brentford.

As revealed in yesterday’s Echo, the Bees have had an offer of around £150,000 accepted for the Blues right-back.

But Tilson was keen to stress it was far from being a done deal.

“Franno turned down a move to Peterborough in January because he felt it was a sideways switch and he may feel the same with Brentford,” said Tilson.

“I’m not sure because only he can really answer that question and he’s away in Cyprus at the moment, so we will just have to wait and see what happens when he returns.”

Brentford finished ninth in League One last season with an average attendance of 6,017 and Francis may wish to join a bigger club. The 25-year-old, who scored his only goal of the season at Griffin Park in a 2-1 defeat, does seem certain to depart Roots Hall though, and that comes as a huge blow to Tilson.

“In my mind there are no doubts that he’s the best attacking full-back in League One,” said the Blues boss.

“If he could defend as well as he attacked then I think he would be playing in the Premier League, so it will be very disappointing if we do lose him and he isn’t here next season.”

FULL STORY IN WEDNESDAY'S ECHO