Brentford boss Dean Smith says another bid for striker Scott Hogan is expected “imminently”.
The Bees have rebuffed previous offers from West Ham for Hogan, who has scored 14 goals in 25 league games this season.
He was left out of the squad for the 2-1 defeat at Wigan, officially due to a tight hamstring, but Smith felt Hogan had been unsettled by the latest offer.
Speaking to Brentford’s website, Smith said: “He had a phone call last night that has turned his head as there is a bid coming imminently.
“I have spoken to him and it is not the kid’s fault – he wants to play football but he doesn’t want to risk getting injured.
“I fully understand that but I think if he has a tight hamstring in February he plays. He is being starved of playing football at the moment when he wants to play.
“For me the transfer window has to be looked at as you can’t have speculation preventing you picking your best team. All across the leagues that has been happening.
“I don’t know if it is player power or agent power but it is very frustrating when you want to pick your best team but can’t because of outside influences.
“Scott is a genuine lad and really wants to play. He had a whack in the back on Tuesday but came back and trained on Thursday.
“I understand him not wanting to risk it but getting phone calls the night before the game is not the best way to go about it.”
This post was last modified on 21/01/2017