Millwall head coach Neil Harris has admitted that he expects there to be interest in some of his players this summer, including star playmaker Zian Flemming.
Harris re-joined the Lions back in February after leaving his post at Cambridge United following Joe Edwards’ departure. Upon taking over at The Den, the London outfit were staring down the barrel of potentially playing in League One for the first time in seven years.
Nevertheless, the 46-year-old has done an excellent job in his second permanent stint as Millwall boss. Three consecutive victories in the Championship over the past few weeks have meant that the club are now guaranteed a spot in the league next season.
From being one point above the bottom three when he was handed the reins once more to now being seven points clear of the drop zone with two matches remaining is an impressive feat from the former Cardiff City boss.
However, as a whole, it’s been a disappointing campaign for the Lions given that the side narrowly missed out on a spot in the play-offs in 2022/23 under Gary Rowett, now at Birmingham City. As a result, there is an increased risk of losing some key stars over the coming months.
One player that has been linked with a move away from the club this summer is Flemming. The Dutch attacker is Millwall’s top goalscorer and assister this season, having bagged 14 goal contributions in 46 appearances in all competitions. It has been rumoured over the past week that MLS club San Jose Earthquakes are keeping tabs on the 25-year-old.
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Harris was asked about the reported interest in Flemming in which he admitted that the Dutchman won’t be the only Millwall player sounded out before the start of the 2024/25 campaign. Speaking to the South London Press, the manager said:
“That’s the first I know about America,” Harris said.
“There was a lot of interest in Zian last summer and rightly so, off the back of the season he had. He hasn’t quite hit those levels this year – but the form of the team has been detrimental to some individuals.
“I expect interest in players over the summer – whether that is people wanting to take someone on a free, players wanting to leave or they (a club) want to come in and bid for our players…I’m sure they will.
“I’m sure Zian will be one that gains interest,” he continued.
“As always, for me, I find it really simple. What is best for the player, for sure, what is best for the team but, ultimately, what is best for the football club. The football club comes first – it always has done and always will do.”
Writer’s View
Respectfully to Millwall, Flemming is the best player at the club. He hasn’t hit the same heights as last season at The Den but the South Bermondsey outfit would be far worse off right now had he not featured so much throughout the campaign.
While it is likely that Flemming will leave during the summer, the club could still hold out for a potential eight-figure sum which would allow them to strengthen a number of different areas at the same time in his absence.
