What Neil Harris said about Japhet Tanganga at Millwall says it all | OneFootball

Tanganga has performed like a Premier League player in waiting for the Lions

Millwall supporters are likely to trust many words which come from their ex-head coach and bonafide club legend, Neil Harris, and he was once again spot on when referencing the future trajectory of Japhet Tanganga.

Harris was re-appointed at the Den in February 2024 following a dismal period under the stewardship of Joe Edwards, who failed to adapt his possession-based ideologies at a club known for being successful in a direct, high-pressing manner.

Alex Neil has had a successful start to life in this part of South London since he took over from Harris in December, and the Scot has already seen plenty of suitors plot moves for the man who was permanently acquired by his predecessor 12 months ago.

Many supporters and Championship onlookers would, no doubt, be surprised if the 26-year-old remains in SE16 by the time the summer transfer window closes on September 1st. And, whilst they may be left disappointed with the fee potentially received for his services - although it would represent a profit - Harris would feel that his prior comments regarding the former Tottenham Hotspur academy graduate had finally been vindicated.

Tanganga was a key reason behind Millwall's resurgence in the latter stages of the 2023/24 season following Harris' reappointment, and his stay at the Den became permanent last summer after initially becoming a free agent.

In the past 12 months, his performance levels have gone from strength to strength under the former boss and Neil, with defensive solidity a key reason behind the club's eighth-place finish, seeing Tanganga earn plenty of praise alongside the equally in-demand Mihailo Ivanovic.

Just weeks before the likes of Sheffield United, Wolves and bitter rivals, West Ham United, eyed the defender's signature in January, he put in an eye-catching performance - coupled with a goal - in a 1-0 win against eventual champions, Leeds United, with Harris lauding his star man post-match.

"That’s why I rung him every day in the summer," Harris stated. "I get on brilliantly with Japh. I just promised him rhythm, games, doing the best we can to keep him fit and giving him a platform to enjoy his football, and to re-start and kickstart his career again, because he’s a Premier League player all day long, we all know that.

"He’s had a really tough four years with injuries and disappointing loans, where it hasn’t quite worked for him and he’s not been looked after in the right manner to keep him fit after a couple of long-term injuries," he added.

Millwall's 2025/26 season fortunes could hinge on Japhet Tanganga transfer outcome

After it was reported that the club and Tanganga had mutually agreed to consider bids from Premier League clubs during the current window, it is no surprise that a release clause - which only applies to those in the English top flight - as low as £1.2m, has caught the attention of Crystal Palace, Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland.

A fresh report from Sky Sports has outlined that Serie A side, Hellas Verona, have seen a £2.6m bid and offering of a four-year contract for Tanganga rejected.

The aforementioned release clause does leave the club in a tricky spot, however. As much as Tanganga is essential to any play-off bid which the Lions will hope to successfully mount after years of near-misses, it is a clear route to top-flight football once more, although it would also frustrate the hierarchy that it doesn't fully align with his true valuation when taking an array of consistent performances into account.