Brentford transfer news: Keith Andrews 'open' to loaning out 22-year-old in January window

Brentford are reportedly prepared to allow goalkeeper Matthew Cox to leave on loan in the January window. 

Cox joined Brentford as a prospect from AFC Wimbledon in the summer of 2021, but he is yet to make his debut for the first team.

The 22-year-old spent the 2023-24 campaign on loan with Bristol Rovers in League One, before he spent the first half of last season back at Brentford.

Cox was then sent out on loan to Crawley for the second part of the 2024-25 campaign, but he played just three league matches before injury cut his temporary spell short.

Brentford willing to sanction Cox loan move

The young shot-stopper is yet to feature in a matchday squad this season, with Caoimhin Kelleher and Hakon Valdimarsson above him in the pecking order. 

As a result, Football Insider are reporting that Brentford will look to send Cox out on loan in the January transfer window. 

The report claims that Cox is still ‘highly-rated’ at Brentford and there are ‘high hopes’ for his future at the West London club.

However, Keith Andrews’s side feel he would benefit from getting regular playing time in the EFL, with a number of clubs believed to be keen on the goalkeeper.

Are Brentford right to send Cox out on loan?

Brentford’s stance over a loan exit makes perfect sense because Cox needs to be playing regularly if he is to develop his game.

Only by playing competitive football on a consistent basis will Brentford be able to establish whether the shot-stopper has what it takes to break into their first-team setup. 

The Bees may be hoping to find him a Championship club, considering that the youngster has played in League One in his past two loan spells.

With that said, it remains to be seen whether any second-tier clubs will be willing to recruit Cox and offer him assurances of regular minutes.