Millwall will be hopeful of climbing back up the Championship table next season after an underwhelming performance on the pitch.
The Lions endured a turbulent campaign off the pitch, with three different managers at the helm throughout the term, with former player and boss Neil Harris returning to The Den in February to steer the club away from the relegation zone to finish 13th in the standings and nine points clear from the bottom three.
The South Bermondsey outfit proved they have the quality to perform on the pitch, but it will be imperative that during the summer transfer window that they get their business spot on to avoid another situation like the previous season unfolding once again.
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With that being said, Football League World takes a look at the free agents the Lions could look to sign in the summer ahead of the 2024/25 Championship season.
Ben Gibson
Norwich City defender Ben Gibson could be a shrewd signing for Millwall to make following his release from the Canaries.
The 31-year-old spent four years at Carrow Road – three of those permanently – and became an integral part of their defence, making 124 appearances in all competitions, which included a season in the Premier League.
Having captained his side on multiple occasions, his leadership skills and experience would be a welcome addition to Millwall’s already stern defensive options, made a no-brainer given that he would arrive with no transfer fee.
A potential stumbling block could be his wages, however. According to Capology‘s estimates, Gibson has been earning around £40,000 per week, which is significantly more than the Lions’ top earner, Joe Bryan.
That does not mean that Gibson will be able to command the same wages now, but he could still be a top bracket earner if he arrives at the Lions.
Paddy McNair
Should Millwall fail in their attempts to sign Gibson, they could turn to Middlesbrough defender Paddy McNair.
The Northern Irishman has been an exceptional servant to the club since arriving from Sunderland in 2018, playing over 200 Championship matches across an impressive period at the Riverside since Michael Carrick’s arrival on Teesside.
Over his seven years with Boro, the former Manchester United academy graduate has been a versatile and dependable option for the club, and would be an excellent signing for the Lions to complete to further bolster their defensive options.
With the ability to play in the full-back positions or in midfield, he presents a shrewd addition for Neil Harris to ensure that Millwall look towards the top end of the table next term.
Ivan Sunjic
Having signed a five-year contract with Birmingham City in 2019, Ivan Sunjic’s career with Blues ended following the release of the club’s retained list.
It came as one of the more surprising pieces of business the West Midlands club announced following their relegation to League One, with the Croatian having featured 36 times this season.
Having formed a solid partnership with Krystian Bielik in central midfield at the start of the campaign, but, the appointment of Wayne Rooney halted his progress, often playing out of position which hampered his impact in games.
The 27-year-old showed signs of his qualities during his time with Birmingham, and could rediscover his form at the heart of the Millwall midfield, providing that tenacious battling presence that is adored by the Lions faithful.
Jamie Paterson
Perhaps one of the more difficult deals to complete, but Swansea City‘s Jamie Paterson presents an interesting proposition for Millwall to consider.
The 32-year-old is out of contract with the Welsh club but has been offered a new deal at the Swansea.com Stadium, and has proved this season he has plenty more to give at this level.
Playing predominantly as an attacking midfielder, Paterson managed eight goals and six assists in all competitions this season, with the versatility to play anywhere across the midfield or in the forward line.
| Jamie Paterson’s 2023/24 Swansea City stats as per Transfermarkt and FotMob | |
| Apps | 48 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Assists | 6 |
| Minutes played | 3,329 |
| Successful passes | 828 |
| Pass accuracy | 74.8% |
| Chances created | 67 |
| Successful dribbles | 40 |
| Touches | 1,892 |
With interest continuing to surround midfielder, Zian Flemming, Paterson could be seen as an alternative short-term option for the Lions to consider should the 25-year-old depart The Den in the summer.
Scott Hogan
With Tom Bradshaw out of contract this summer, it is imperative that Millwall bring in another striker, and Birmingham striker Scott Hogan could be the answer.
The 31-year-old has been out of favour at St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park this past season, playing just 19 times under the four different bosses Blues have had over the course of the campaign.
Hogan has an impressive record at this level, scoring 67 times in 259 Championship appearances, which included 10 in the 2022-23 season for the West Midlands club.
Should Millwall be able to keep the majority of their attacking talents, Hogan will score goals and important ones at that. During his time with Birmingham, the striker was often made to make his own chances and, if given the service, could be a shrewd pickup on a free transfer.
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