John Berylson’s financial backing even more vital as Millwall assess transfer window costs

Steve Kavanagh is not surprised at the slow start to the summer transfer window – and says John Berylson’s financial backing has been even more crucial to Millwall during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Lions have secured Tottenham striker Troy Parrott and Stoke midfielder Ryan Woods on season-long loans.

But Kavanagh reckons Championship clubs are playing a waiting game for the trickle down effect of Premier League activity.

The Covid-19 outbreak saw the season finish without supporters allowed in stadiums and with a delayed July finish.

The Millwall chief executive said: “How many transfers have you seen of any value? I’m struggling to think, outside of the Premier League, of one.

“So yes, the market has been substantially affected. Other than loans, nothing has really happened.

“You almost have a phoney war until someone from the Premier League buys from the Championship and that value spreads through.

“It is very difficult to understand what the market is going to be. The transfer window also runs right the way into the season.

“A lot of clubs are waiting to see what is going on. I don’t think a lot of clubs have got a lot of money – especially with the uncertainty about when crowds will be back.

“Our income streams have been seriously affected and we rely very, very heavily on John Berylson [owner]. We did before and more so now. Without John I don’t know where we’d be.

“Will the market stay that way? I don’t know. There were people who wanted the transfer market to run right the way through for clubs to trade out of problems.

“But the Championship has got the same problem as League One and League Two. We finished our season with subsidised costs that comes with testing. While that was absolutely the right thing to do, that has used resources and the owner’s money.

“I don’t expect the market to be record breaking.”

Millwall beat Preston and Swansea to land Republic of Ireland international Parrott, 18. Celtic and Bournemouth had also expressed interests.

Harry Kane was the same age when the Spurs captain made a temporary switch to the Lions in 2012.

“I wasn’t here when Harry Kane came to Millwall but I understand he didn’t actually start that well and then started scoring,” said Kavanagh. “He developed – and that was important.

“We have got good strikers in Tom Bradshaw, who scored a number of goals, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson is an international and Matt Smith got 14 goals. We’ve got players like Jed Wallace and Connor Mahoney who can support those boys by stepping up with goals themselves.

“Troy is here to develop. We have shown with Jayson Molumby and Billy Mitchell coming through that we are developing youngsters who push into the first team and get opportunities. There will be times that Troy comes out of the side and times he goes in.

“We’ve got high hopes. We hope by the end of the season we are sending Tottenham back the next Harry Kane – if we do that it will mean he has had a great season and we’ve really benefited.

“Gary [Rowett, manager] and Alex [Aldridge, head of recruitment] worked really hard to get Troy. We got pretty damn close to the play-offs and with a little more firepower we’re looking at pushing the club on again.

“It’s about baby steps and bringing back Ryan was important too.

“I think players who come to Millwall will say we haven’t got the best facilities but we’ve got a fantastic atmosphere and fantastic group of players – 99 per cent leave saying they have enjoyed it.

“If players are enjoying it then your chances of developing them improve immensely.”