Millwall midfielder Saville set for £8million move to Middlesbrough
BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk
George Saville is set for an £8million move to Middlesbrough – smashing Millwall’s record outgoing transfer.
The Lions have been desperate to not part with any of their prize assets this summer and fought off Boro’s attempts to strike a double deal for Saville and winger Jed Wallace before the initial deadline for permanent deals on August 9.
But Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis has refused to be shaken off the trail of Saville, 25, with EFL clubs still able to take players on loans – with locked in permanent deals for January – before today’s 5pm deadline.
Saville has made it clear he wants to join the Championship high-flyers and was expected to travel for a medical yesterday afternoon. The move will easily surpass Steve Morison’s £2.8million sale to Norwich City in June 2011.
Saville arrived at The Den from Wolves a little over a year ago in a deal that was less than £500,000. It is a massive profit on the former Chelsea man.
Millwall boss Harris, talking on Thursday morning, said: “There has been a lot of interest in our players this transfer window and it has been a very challenging period for us.
“There has been huge interest in George Saville and continued interest. I have to be honest, I’m not expecting George to line up in a Millwall shirt on Saturday against Swansea. There is a long way to go in terms of deals out and in before Friday evening.
“We find ourselves in a situation which is crazy. We’ve had all summer and we get to 36 hours before the window shuts and it’s still not clear what our squad is. That’s the fault of the Football League and the ridiculous situation we find ourselves in with two transfer windows. It should be done and dusted before.
“We’re delighted to have added Tom Bradshaw to the squad and since then we’ve been trying to add at least one more, if not two.”
Sheffield United’s Ryan Leonard was one of three options being considered as Saville’s replacement. He had been on the Lions’ wanted list after promotion to the Championship. Southend initially refused to sell but struck a £750,000 deal with the Blades in January.
Fred Onyedinma has joined Wycombe Wanderers on loan. He had a stint with them in 2014-15.
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