With the Championship season now over for the majority of clubs, focus is already being shifted to next season with retained lists expecting to be revealed in the coming days.
Millwall are no different and after their final day win over Swansea City, fans will already be looking forward to next season. The lions would win each of their last five matches and would climb up to 13th place in the Championship table as a result.
Their change in fortunes coincided with manager Neil Harris’ arrival and their former player would comfortably guide them to safety, something which was by no means guaranteed prior to his arrival.
Based off of how the season ended, there is plenty to be excited about and although there could be a high turnover in the squad, it’s an exciting time at the club.
One player’s future has already even revealed, that being Michael Obafemi. The Irish international had been on loan with the club from Burnley since late January but hadn’t exactly been pulling up any trees during his stay in London.
Obafemi would score twice in 14 appearances and perhaps hasn’t kicked on as much as many fans thought he may. However we have nowseen the 23-year-old play his last game for the club, with journalist Darren Witcoop revealing on Twitter (X), that the Irishman will not be returning to the club following the expiration of his loan deal.
It is understood that Millwall have rejected the chance to extend the offer into permanent move, which doesn’t come as a huge surprise given his performances during his stay.
Nonetheless, at just 23 years of age, Obafemi is still learning the game and should improve in years to come. With Burnley looking rather likely to be relegated from the top flight this season, he may well be back in the Championship regardless whether that be with the club or elsewhere.
One club he will not be at though is Millwall, who will be looking to recruit some more players in the forward areas this summer. Given it’ll be Harris’ first window in his second managerial stint with the club, he’ll be given the option to get the players that he wants going forward. Plenty of movement is therefore expected and it will be interesting to see who moves on when the retained list comes out.
Writer’s View
It isn’t overly surprising that Millwall aren’t looking to make Obafemi’s signing a permanent one and although not revealed, Burnley would’ve probably asked for a decent fee.
The striker hasn’t kicked on over the past couple of seasons and next year will be a big one for him, it could even be described as a make-or-break season. It’s unknown who will be in for the 23-year-old and he seems heavily out of favour at his parent club.
It’s a big transfer window for Millwall and Neil Harris, who have the potential to really push for a place in the top-half next season. If the last couple of months are anything to go off, then there’s no reason why they can’t do just that.
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