MILLWALL have bids in for a number of players and have met agents “to try to move things along”, boss Neil Harris has revealed.
Harris has highlighted goalkeeper and striker as the main priority areas, and he also wants to add competition in midfield and in wide attacking positions in the “biggest rebuild” of his time in charge.
The Lions currently have 19 players with senior league experience contracted beyond this summer, including youngsters George Alexander and Billy Mitchell.
But Tom Elliott and Fred Onyedinma are set to depart in this transfer window, and Harris hasn’t ruled out other players leaving.
Millwall have offered goalkeeper David Martin a new deal, but he is being linked with a move to West Ham, his father Alvin’s former club.
Lee Gregory is also leaving, but Harris certainly isn’t panicking.
“We’re not devoid of players, we’re not suddenly down to seven senior fit players. With Murray Wallace, Tom Bradshaw and Ben Thompson back fit for the start of pre-season, that’s a huge bonus for the group,” Harris said in a video interview on the club’s website.
“Yes, the goalkeeping department’s got to be looked at and that’s a priority for us. Centre-forward needs to be looked at, that’s a priority for us. We want to add more attacking output into the wide areas. We want to add to the midfield area and we’ll adjust accordingly from there if people go out the door.
“We want to add to the group, and trying to add to it as quickly as possible is key, obviously. We want to try to get them in before the market starts to move.
“We have bid for players already and will continue to do so. I’ve met with various players and advisors to try to move things along.
“But you can imagine, where we are as a club, trying to compete with big clubs at this level is tough. You have to try to sell them the dream of coming to Millwall and sell to them that we are a close-knit group and once this place gets going it’s an unbelievable atmosphere.
“Attracting the right players is key, but attracting the right characters is vital.
“It’s the biggest rebuild. The first year I took over there were 19 players left, the majority senior players. We had a big squad at the time so we still had a lot of players left over.
“We didn’t bring huge amounts in but we weren’t under pressure to build it overnight. With this one – we’re not trying to build it overnight to become a top-six side at the start of the season – all we’ve realised after four years is that we’ve got to transform a little bit, let people go and bring new people in. Fresh ears, as much as anything, to listen to my voice and ideas.
“It is an important summer for us, there is a lot of business to be done and some big personnel to try to bring in in key positions.
“It’s a huge window for us and we have to get it right. Identifying players and their values is key, and we’ve done that early, so we’re in a good position.”
Image: Millwall FC