Millwall boss Neil Harris on his transfer search for new goalkeepers
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk
Millwall manager Neil Harris reckons their goalkeeping plans will become clearer once the play-offs are over.
The Lions released Jordan Archer and Tom King last week. Ben Amos has returned to parent club Bolton Wanderers.
Millwall are still in talks with David Martin over new terms but all of the senior stoppers are due to be free agents at the end of June.
Bournemouth goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale is a potential loan target for the Lions – winning Player of the Year at AFC Wimbledon for his form in the second half of last season.
Huddersfield Town are interested in Ramsdale, whose displays for the Dons has generated significant interest from the division above.
“You look at goalkeepers you want to buy, are out of contract or you might loan – but the problem is their parent club don’t always know the situation they are in at the moment with the play-off finals to come,” said Harris. “There is a possibility of them buying or selling players.
“We released three goalkeepers in the space of a week and discussion is still ongoing with David Martin. So we potentially need four goalkeepers. It is a department which needs an overhaul.
“There are some fine goalkeepers available.
“People will see from our retained list and the player loans that finished that there is going to be a transition of players that I promised.
“Letting so many players leave or not renewing their contracts – I’ve also spoken to a couple where their futures lie elsewhere.
“It is not going to be easy. It is going to be a very tough summer for the football club to recruit, but we are committed to doing it.
“We are in negotiations with various players and that will continue.
“In the front areas of the pitch we need to recruit. We need to score more goals and have more attacking threat. That is not just the centre-forwards but the wide players as well.
“It is clear I want more attacking threat from the front players next season. They are areas we certainly need to look at.
“It is going to be a tough summer in the industry this summer because of FFP [financial fair play]. The transfer window closes slightly earlier as well which will make it fast and furious.
“I don’t expect it to be fast and furious for us until the middle of July or the end of it.
“We start pre-season training in June and go on tour [to Portugal] in the middle of July. I want the new players integrated into the group as soon as I can.”
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