Exclusive: Irish Star Troy Parrott Emerges as Brentford Transfer Priority

Brentford have added Troy Parrott’s name to their list of potential targets, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

The former Tottenham Hotspur striker highlighted his growing stature since joining AZ Alkmaar by netting a hat-trick earlier this during the Republic of Ireland’s dramatic win over Hungary.

That result secured Heimir Hallgrimsson’s squad a place in the play-offs for next year’s World Cup finals. 

If they reach the tournament proper, being staged in the USA, Canada and Mexico, then Parrott could be set for an eventful summer if Keith Andrews’ men decide to firm-up their interest in luring him back to the Premier League.

Aged 23, Parrott made only four senior appearances in all competitions for Spurs, before heading to Holland following loan spells with Millwall, MK Dons, Preston North End, Ipswich Town and Excelsior.

But it is at the AFAS Stadion where he has truly blossomed, under head coach Maarten Martens. Parrott, who became the first Irishman to net three times in a competitive fixture since 2014 after his exploits in Budapest. 

Only three days earlier he bagged a brace during another shock triumph, this time against Portugal. Having also found the back of the net on 13 occasions for AZ so far this term, Parrott’s golden streak of form has alerted a number of English top-flight clubs to his potential availability. 

Out of all of them, sources last night revealed that Brentford, now managed by Parrott’s compatriot Keith Andrews, are currently his most likely destination should Martens’ employers look to cash-in on his rising popularity.

But, as revealed exclusively my SportsBoom earlier this week, Championship leaders Coventry City are also interested in securing the centre-forward's prized signature.

PROFILE PERFECT

Crucially, still three months shy of his 24th birthday, Parrott fits the profile the recruitment department at the Gtech Stadium have devised to identify would-be new signings. 

Andrews, who also represented his country at senior level, is hopeful his background and relationship with Parrott would sway the balance in his favour should Brentford’s technical boffins give him the green light to swoop.

Although Parrott could earn more money by moving elsewhere, his lack of first team opportunities in north London is likely to influence his thinking when the time comes to leave Alkmaar and return to the UK. 

Andrews, whose backroom staff includes specialist attacking guru Jack Lester, could offer him regular football.

Parrott headed to the Eredivisie two summers ago, scoring four times during a rout of Heerenveen before injury curtailed his progress. 

Since recovering, the youngster has been in blistering form, taking his goal tally to 33 in only 61 matches for The Cheese Farmers.