Martin Rowlands could be the next big name in Irish football. The 21-year-old Brentford midfielder could follow in the footsteps of Kevin Kilbane by joining West Brom from a lower division.

West Brom are ready to offer £1.5m for the Irish u21 international but as yet Second Division Brentford have shown no interest in allowing him to go.

If the deal goes through, it will mirror that of Kevin Kilbane. Kilbane, then an u21 international, moved from Second Division Preston to West Brom for £1.25m and quickly came to the attention of Premiership teams.

He lasted a year and a half at the Hawthorns before Sunderland made a move for the winger, paying £2.2m for his services. Since then Kilbane has gone on to distinguish himself with Ireland under Mick McCarthy.

Brentford don't want to lose Rowlands just yet. They said: "He has the potential to play at the very highest level, but he still has a lot to learn and this is the best place to do that, playing first-team football instead of sitting in a reserve team."