Millwall boss: I’m very confident we’ll do business in January transfer window

BY RICHARD CAWLEY
richard@slpmedia.co.uk

Gary Rowett is totally confident that Millwall will make signings in the January transfer window – with Kenneth Zohore’s future coming into sharp focus.

The Lions are keen to strengthen their midfield options this month.

And striker Zohore’s loan from West Bromwich Albion is due to expire after tomorrow’s trip to Nottingham Forest.

“I’m very confident we will do business,” said Millwall manager Rowett. “In fairness John [Berylson, owner] has been brilliant in terms of what he’ll allow us to do.

“The challenge is always the same – we could’ve signed five players now. We could easily have had five players in the building but it is about making us better.

“I’m not suggesting we are going to sign five players. I’m making the point that you want to sign the right ones who can help us long term.

“Unfortunately that takes time. That’s because of the coronavirus and teams not having much money to strengthen themselves. No-one wants to let go of players that will impact on their team.

“Premier League clubs and other teams are holding more players in their squad in case they get an outbreak.

“It’s not an easy window but we are in a position where we’re going to be proactive. We haven’t done transfer fees in previous windows.

“Getting players in takes time and that is the challenge.

“It’s not necessarily whether we want or can do it – we will do it. When we do it, you can never be overly sure.”

Zohore was out for just under two months with a calf injury but has played the last three matches and netted the opening goal in Saturday’s 2-0 FA Cup win at Boreham Wood.

The big Danish forward made it successive starts with a 78-minute shift in Tuesday’s 1-1 draw at AFC Bournemouth.

“I don’t think he has been fully fit since he has been here,” said Rowett. “But even at 70 or 80 per cent fit he can offer a real level of quality in that central striking position.

“We’ve seen glimpses of it but we’ve not had the opportunity to see Ken after five, six or seven games.

“The initial deal runs up to just after the Forest game and we’ll have a discussion [with West Brom]. We’ve had some discussion but we’ll have more to see where they see it.

“Like anything we’d be taking a gamble taking him longer – but with the gamble comes a player that we’d probably never normally get.

“He is a top striker in this division who could potentially make the difference. We’ll continue to have those discussions and hope for a positive outcome.

“He is not our player and that means that things can change up to the last minute.

“What we want to do and West Brom want to do is not necessarily the same thing.

“Us getting Ken fit, us giving him game time and us giving him the chance to get back playing – everyone knows that can only benefit West Brom.”

Millwall are not pursuing a deal for Oostende midfielder Cameron McGeehan.

The former Luton Town and Barnsley man, who had a loan stint with Portsmouth last season, had been linked with the Lions.