Millwall FC backed for late Ipswich Town transfer decision - 'fans would've been disgruntled' | OneFootball

FLW's Millwall fan pundit has given his verdict on Ipswich Town's deadline day interest in Femi Azeez

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Millwall turned down late January transfer window interest from Ipswich Town for Femi Azeez.

According to NewsAtDen, the Tractor Boys made multiple offers to sign the forward on deadline day, which were all rejected.

The 24-year-old has been a key figure in Alex Neil’s side so far this season, and is their top scorer amid their push for promotion to the Premier League.

However, Ipswich are also eyeing a place in the top flight and were keen on a deal to sign the winger in the final hours of the winter market.

Millwall held onto Azeez beyond the 7pm deadline, with the player already contributing seven goals and two assists from 19 appearances in the league so far this season.

Millwall could not cash in on Femi Azeez

When asked if the club should’ve cashed in on this interest in Azeez on deadline day, FLW’s Millwall fan pundit Lucas Ball claimed they were right to fend off Ipswich’s advances.

He believes it would’ve shown a lack of ambition from James Berylson and family given this is the team’s best chance at competing for promotion in years.

“Absolutely not, fans would’ve been so disgruntled if Azeez had ended up moving yesterday, or anytime in this window I think,” Ball told Football League World.

“Especially with the chance we’ve got this year, to then be selling him to a direct play-off rival as well.

“And if you were to then do it so late in the window, there doesn’t really give you any adequate time to find a replacement that you’re really after.

“Then you’ve got to bed someone in while we’ve got other players settling in other positions, probably Tommy Watson will come in and start on the left once he’s up to speed.

“Then you’ve got potentially two new wingers trying to get to grips with the system, the way Alex Neil likes to press, what he wants from his wide men and everything else.

“So, yeah, I don’t think any amount of money this window would’ve been worth it.

“Our record with and without Azeez this year speaks for itself, I think it just would’ve shown a lack of ambition — especially to do it so late in the window if it happened — from the club, and going forward.

“Because it would’ve covered a year of operating losses probably for the Berylson family, but I think James obviously realises that this is probably the best chance we’re going to have to really push for promotion, or certainly is the best chance we’ve had to date.

“And therefore, we need to try and keep hold of our best players.”

Ball believes this has been a very positive window for the London outfit, with the additions of Tommy Watson, Barry Bannan and Anthony Patterson all cited as strong moves, along with keeping crucial players like Tristan Crama and Azeez.

“So I think this month keeping hold of Crama, Azeez, players coming back from injury, and then to add the likes of Watson, Bannan, Patterson, I think overall that makes it a really good window,” he added.

“Especially Azeez news [Monday].

“Obviously a really good fee that would’ve been enough would be around the £15 million mark.

“But not worth it at this stage of the season, particularly not to a direct rival for the top six, and well done to the club for saying no.”

Millwall are currently fifth in the Championship table, five points clear of seventh place Derby County after 30 games played.

Next up for the Lions is a trip to face sixth place Wrexham on 7 February in a 3.01pm kick-off, with just three points separating the two sides.

Millwall have to back their promotion bid this season

In another season where Millwall are 11th or 12th then maybe cashing in on Azeez for a big fee would’ve made sense on deadline day.

But they are fifth, and have a solid gap to the teams behind, so they have to feel good about earning a possible play-off place right now.

Given Azeez’s importance to the side, it would’ve been a big gamble to sell him and hope to still earn a top six finish.

There is no doubt that there will still be interest in him in the summer, so there was really no need to jeopardise their promotion hopes, and the club have done well by holding firm.