Bristol City face Dom Ballard snub: Middlesbrough and Millwall must hijack deal | OneFootball

Bristol City are looking elsewhere after failing to sign Leyton Orient's Dom Ballard, which should encourage Middlesbrough or Millwall to step in.

Leyton Orient endured a disappointing 2025/26 season, which ultimately saw them avoid relegation to League Two on the final day.

Boss Richie Wellens made it clear that he wasn’t happy with the players, and he is expected to oversee a major overhaul of the squad in the summer transfer window.

However, whilst the O’s underachieved as a collective, it’s fair to say that one player did flourish last season, with striker Dom Ballard scoring 23 goals in 40 games, which made him the top scorer in the third tier.

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Naturally, such form caught the eye of clubs higher up the EFL, and whilst Ballard has only spent 12 months with Orient, a summer exit does feel likely.

Bristol City have made a move for the former Southampton man, but they have had two bids rejected by Leyton Orient, who are understandably determined to get a big fee for their star man.

It appears the Robins will not be back with another offer, as it’s suggested that they’re now looking at Exeter City’s Jayden Wareham as an alternative to Ballard.

But, that doesn’t mean the player will remain with Orient, and here we look at TWO clubs who must try and muscle in to do a deal for the attacker...

Middlesbrough

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Many observers agree that Middlesbrough’s failure to win promotion was down to one reason - they lacked a prolific goalscorer in their team.

After Kim Hellberg replaced Rob Edwards, there was plenty of uncertainty surrounding Boro, but the Swede quickly implemented a fantastic style of play that made the Teesside outfit a great watch.

Yet, they dropped far too many points in games where their dominance didn’t result in goals, and that ultimately cost them a top two place.

Boro not signing a striker in January was costly, and it’s something they must rectify this window, and whilst there will be question marks over Ballard as he hasn’t played at this level before, the reality is that he can score goals.

Anyone who has seen him play for the O’s will recognise the positive traits he has. He will find space in the box, he can finish with one touch, and he has good movement.

Again, he scored 23 times for one of the poorer sides in the division, so you would expect him to relish the chance to play in a Boro team that can create chances for fun, and he could be the reliable finisher they need to put them away.

Millwall

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Millwall were another side who reached the play-offs last season, with Alex Neil’s men falling short against Hull over two legs, despite finishing third in the league.

That shows the foundations are in place for another push for promotion, but, like Middlesbrough, the Lions are lacking a clinical number nine.

In the previous campaign, Femi Azeez was the only player to hit double figures in the league, and even though Millwall do spread the goals around, that’s clearly not ideal.

There will be belief that Mihailo Ivanovic can rediscover his best form and become a key player, and Josh Coburn is a good option at this level, but you still get the feeling they are at least one striker short.

Macaulay Langstaff’s move to Salford has freed up another space in the squad, and Ballard could be the answer for Millwall, and, crucially, he is a different profile to Ivanovic and Coburn.

The prospect of the Orient man linking up with either of the powerful strikers is one that would excite Neil, and he could be the prolific goalscorer they need to make that next step to reach the Premier League.