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Millwall travel to Norwich City on the Championship opening weekend, with the future of one key squad member in doubt.
Norwich City host Millwall this afternoon (Saturday, August 9) as both sides look to get off on the right track towards the top-six places.
Millwall finished eighth in the Championship table last season, narrowly missing out on a play-off place after an upturn in form towards the end of the campaign.
The Canaries appointed Liam Manning this summer, and have since made several impressive signings to bolster their promotion credentials for the season ahead.
Unfortunately for Alex Neil, his Norwich preparations have been marred by news that one of his key figures is the subject of lofty transfer interest from the Italian top flight.
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Millwall reject £3.47m bid from Sassuolo for Japhet Tanganga
Millwall defender Japhet Tanganga has been the subject of rife transfer interest throughout the window after his impressive season in the Lions’ defence last term.
The former Tottenham star made 40 appearances and scored two goals for Millwall last season, and after being integral to their promotion push, Wolves were tracking Tanganga as well as teammate Mikhailo Ivanovic.
Reports emerged later in the window that the newly promoted trio of Sunderland, Burnley, and Leeds eyed Tanganga, given his contractual release clause for a Premier League side sat under £2m.
Evidently, the Lions defender is worth more than his £1.5m release clause for a top flight side, but with none of the promoted trio materialising their interest yet, Italian outfit Sassuolo have joined the race.
Sky Sports report that: “Millwall have rejected a bid from Sassuolo for defender Japhet Tanganga, worth £3.47m.
“Last month, Millwall rejected a £2.6m bid from another Italian side, Hellas Verona. The former Tottenham defender has a £1.5m release clause for Premier League clubs only.”
Tanganga is expected to start against Norwich this afternoon despite the growing interest in his services, and after Neil’s praise of the defender last term, the Lions boss will be desperate to see him stay.
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Alex Neil will want ‘excellent’ Japhet Tanganga to stay at Millwall
Tanganga was voted Millwall’s Player of the Year last season with his resolute defensive displays cementing him as one of the best defenders in the Championship.
As quoted by Southwark News, Neil said of Tanganga in April: “He’s a key member of our team. He knows what we can offer, he knows what we’re trying to do, he’s at the forefront of that.
“He’s the ultimate professional, Japh. His performances throughout the games have been excellent. Hence the reason why he’s clean swept the player of the year awards.
“He’s been a real focal point of our team this season.”
In what could be the best Championship yet, Neil will be desperate to retain Tanganga beyond the September 1 deadline, as his presence in the backline will be imperative as the Lions attempt to better last season’s feat.
The Englishman is expected to feature against the Canaries, which could be one of his final games for the Lions if an increased bid follows and is accepted by Millwall.