‘Hugely pivotal’ – Millwall boss asked for Japhet Tanganga update after Lions agree deal with Tottenham Hotspur

Neil Harris says Millwall have “pushed hard” at the start of the summer transfer window in their attempt to secure Japhet Tanganga on a permanent deal. 

The Lions agreed a fee with Premier League side Tottenham in early May and have been looking to secure his services permanently ahead of the 2024-25 season.

Tanganga is due to be out of contract this summer, but Spurs have the option to extend his contract by 12 months, ensuring they are due a fee.

The 25-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at The Den after being recalled by Spurs from his stint in the Bundesliga with Augsburg after failing to play a single minute.

Harris told the South London Press: “It’s really important that everybody understands, not just Neil Harris and his team-mates, but the whole football club is a big fan of Japhet Tanganga.

“I think I have made that clear in previous articles – I would love to work with him.

“Japhet is a player who will be in demand over this transfer window.

“As a football club, sometimes, we can only push as far when we go through a process which is involving individuals, agents and football clubs.

“It’s safe to say that we have pushed hard to see if Japhet is a possibility for us in this window.

“Where I am hugely respectful as well is that there is a lot that goes into signing a player, it’s not just involving money between clubs and agents, it becomes a lot of different scenarios.

“Family becomes a huge one. When players have options to maybe be abroad, they have to speak to them as well. There are moments in players’ careers which are hugely pivotal.

“We’re massively respectful at the early part of June, not just with Japh, but with other players as well – things have to be aligned.

“Of course we like Japhet, but there are lots of aspects that go into signing a player.”