Brentford defender Ryan Dickson’s move to Southampton is set to be rubberstamped by a tribunal after both club’s could not agree on a fee for the out of contract left back.

The 23-year-old, who has agreed terms on a three-year deal at St Mary's , becomes manager Alan Pardew’s first close season purchase.

Bees boss Andy Scott is said to have valued the former Plymouth Argyle trainee at around £500,000, while the Saints are reported to have offered Brentford a fifth of that.

The Griffin Park chief labelled the rising star as the best in his position in League One last season and had offered the youngster a new deal to remain with the club.

But Dickson, long admired by Pardew, turned down Scott’s advances and jumped at the chance to switch to next season’s title favourites as he bids to reach the English top flight.

“The chairman and the manager didn’t have to sell it to me too hard,” he told the Saints website.

“There were Championship clubs interested in me, but I can see the potential here.

“I want to play at the highest level and I know this is the quickest way for me to be able to do that.

“The chairman has impressed me with his aspirations and the manager told me a lot about the team and the personnel who are already here.

“Everything is being put in place to take the club to the highest level, so it wasn’t a difficult decision to make.”