Said Benrahma reacts to interest amid reported Leeds and Arsenal links

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Reported Arsenal and Leeds United target Said Benrahma has told the Daily Mail that he is flattered to be on the radar of top flight clubs heading into the summer.

Benrahma is wanted by a number of sides after another outstanding season in the Championship. The Algerian has scored 17 goals – including seven since the campaign’s resumption – and contributed eight assists.

The Daily Mail reports that Arsenal and Chelsea want the 24-year-old. Meanwhile, the report has suggested that promotion rivals Leeds are also tracking the forward having got themselves over the line last week.

In fact, Algerian outlet Le Buteur claimed this week that the Whites are preparing a £23.4 million bid with Marcelo Bielsa earmarking Benrahma as a priority target.

Thomas Frank’s side could still join Leeds at English football’s top table. They sit third going into the final day of the campaign. And they will finish in the top two if they can better West Brom’s result. Otherwise, it will be the play-offs for the Bees.

Benrahma insisted that his focus remains on Brentford’s push and suggested that his priority would be to stay put. But he did suggest that he was pleased to be linked with those clubs.

‘It’s thanks to Brentford’

“I was really flattered,” he told the Mail. “But I’m so focused on trying to get promotion with Brentford that I don’t want to pay too much attention. But, of course, it is giving me confidence.

“My progression is due to Brentford, they have given me a lot of confidence. I was not very confident when I was at Nice but now I am. It’s thanks to Brentford. So I’m going to fight to help take Brentford to the next step.”

“I always watched the Premier League, especially Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea. Since I was a kid I wanted to play in England. But I don’t look at it as my destiny to play in the Premier League – it has always been a target and I wish to play there with Brentford,” he went on to add.

TBR View: Brentford under pressure to get across line

It does appear to be a crucial period for Brentford. They have a fantastic squad and it looks to be a matter of time before Frank takes his side to the top flight.

Making it happen this season however, looks to be hugely important. Holding onto the likes of Benrahma, Ollie Watkins and some of their other gems is going to be tough should they remain in the Championship.

In fairness, they have been outstanding at replacing key players who have left the club in the past. And there is no reason to believe that they do not have a plan should they lose their stars once again.

But replacing a player of Benrahma’s calibre would be an incredibly difficult task. Should they go up – and many will remain confident that they will do – they may not have to worry about that proposition.

But if this is not their year, it would be no surprise if the offers for Benrahma flood in almost immediately.