Tuesday 8 January 2019 10:34, UK
Beijing Sinobo Guoan are close to agreeing a deal with Brentford to sign Nico Yennaris, Sky Sports News understands.
The 25-year-old, who was born in Leytonstone in East London, is understood to qualify for naturalised citizenship in China through his grandparents.
His signing would therefore not have implications on the Chinese Super League club's move for Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele by taking up one of the club's four foreign player spots.
Sky Sports News reported last week that Beijing Sinobo Guoan had made an approach for Dembele after allowing Jonathan Soriano to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahly.
Yennaris, whose Brentford contract expires in 2021, is a utility player that can operate at full-back and in midfield, while showing a knack for arriving late into the box and scoring goals.
The ex-England U19 international has scored 12 times in 157 appearances for Brentford since signing from Arsenal's academy in 2014.
Yennaris has made 20 appearances for Brentford this season.
