According to South London Press, Millwall could stick with playing Ryan Leonard in a back three after failing with a bid for versatile Derby County defender George Evans.
The Lions are seemingly looking to bolster their squad ahead of deadline day.
A report on Tuesday from John Percy for the Telegraph claimed Millwall failed with a £500,000 offer for Derby’s George Evans who has started the Rams’ last two games.
Evans is predominantly a midfielder. However, over the past 18 months, he has also been used as a makeshift centre-back both in a back four and a back three.
The former Reading man has never managed to establish himself as a first-teamer at Derby, but his versatility means he is still a valuable player at Pride Park.
Millwall often play with a back three under Gary Rowett. It seemed the Lions have identified Evans as an option to add competition to the likes of Sam Hutchinson and Jake Cooper.
But their situation may now change following the emergence of Ryan Leonard.
Leonard is mainly an attack-minded midfielder. However, due to injuries, Rowett deployed him as part of his defence for the past two games with Millwall keeping clean sheets in both.
Rowett hailed the flexibility of Leonard after the 0-0 draw with Watford on Tuesday. Incidentally, the game coming after the reported failed bid for Derby’s Evans.
South London Press now claim Millwall may stick with Leonard, moving off both Evans and Hibernian’s Ryan Porteous who they also failed with a January offer for.
Derby, on other hand, have sold Mike te Wierik and Duane Holmes this month.
The prospective takeover has lingered on, denting the Rams’ chances of strengthening the squad despite manager Wayne Rooney remaining optimistic over new arrivals.
Also see: 2020 Derby target Rooney played alongside reportedly set to join Championship club
Also see: ‘Feel sick’: Some Derby fans react as young talent reportedly on verge of Liverpool move