Alex Neil does not want to lose the two first-team players as Millwall fights off interest from Championship rivals.
Sheffield United are ‘advancing in talks’ to recruit in-demand Millwall centre-back Japhet Tanganga before the summer transfer window closes, following the Blades’ terrible start to the 2025/26 season.
Ruben Selles’ squad has lost three consecutive games since the start of the season, falling to Swansea, Birmingham City, and Bristol City. In those games, the Blades have conceded seven goals in a troubling run of form.
The second-tier club appears to be focusing on bolstering their backline, having signed Lions star Tanganga. The former Tottenham Hotspur player was linked with a move to the Premier League earlier in the transfer window.
Sheffield United wants to sign Millwall’s defender.
Crystal Palace, Sunderland, Leeds United, and Wolves were all rumored to be interested in signing Tanganga, who has top-flight experience from his stint in north London. European outfits were also mentioned as possible suitors.
This summer, news broke that the player’s contract contained a £1.2 million release clause, which had yet to be invoked. It is understood that Sheffield United would be unable to take use of that clause and would have to pay a larger sum to bring Tanganga to Bramall Lane.
Journalist Dan Marsh said on social networking platform X: “Sheffield United are in talks to recruit Japhet Tanganga from Millwall. The 26-year-old defender has been a long-term target for the #TwitterBlades and would cost a significant price because the release clause does not apply to divisional rivals. Talks are ongoing.”
Lions face fight as Leicester City enquire about Mihailo Ivanovic
Meanwhile, Millwall will seek to maintain gifted striker Mihailo Ivanovic. The 20-year-old only joined the Championship last summer, but his strong debut season has led to interest from Premier League clubs Everton and Wolves.
Nothing came of those allegations, although it does not appear that the transfer story has ended. Championship opponents Leicester City are thought to be interested in the midfielder, with Marti Cifuentes charged with returning the Foxes to the top flight.
According to Football Insider, Leicester City has inquired about Ivanovic’s availability as they plan to part ways with Bilal El Khannouss at King Power Stadium. If Alex Neil’s words last month provide any indication, Millwall will be reluctant to let the player go.
He told Southwark News: “I understand there’s a lot of conjecture, as there always is, whether it’s with Japhet, Mihailo, or anyone else. “We’re not actively trying to sell anyone.
We want to keep the squad, and we want to grow, build, and do well this season. Similarly, if someone comes in with offers that are well above what we may consider as an evaluation of a player, certain decisions may be made.
“What I will tell you is that we have no intentions, and no effort is being made to move any of our players. We want to keep them here. We like them. We believe they have had significant improvement, both individually and as a team. And we want to attempt to make this a successful year for ourselves.”
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