Why Millwall FC agreed late Oxford United transfer deal - Alex Neil has revealed key reason | OneFootball

Millwall agreed to sell Aidomo Emakhu to Oxford United at the end of the January transfer window

Millwall boss Alex Neil has explained why the club cashed in on Aidomo Emakhu at the end of the January transfer window.

The winger made the move to Oxford United on deadline day in a deal worth seven figures for the London outfit.

The Irishman was a regular presence for the Lions this season, starting 12 of his 27 appearances in the Championship.

Emakhu contributed two goals and one assist, with the team chasing promotion to the Premier League, making this his most prolific year for the club so far already.

However, he has now been replaced with the arrival of Tommy Watson on loan from Brighton for the second half of the campaign following Emakhu’s switch to the U’s.

Alex Neil opens up on Aidomo Emakhu transfer to Oxford United

Neil has claimed that Emakhu’s contract situation led Millwall to cashing in on the transfer interest from Oxford on deadline day, suggesting they could not agree terms on an extension.

He admitted that the London outfit wanted to keep the winger beyond this winter market, but that they felt cashing in now made the most sense given the lack of time remaining on his deal, which was set to expire in June.

“We didn’t really want Aidomo to leave,” said Neil, via NewsAtDen.

“We’ve been talking to Aidomo about a new contract, but we couldn’t get to an agreement. His contract was running down, and he phoned me and spoke to me himself, and he wanted to go.

“When that happens, and we can’t get an agreement, and we’re not going to get that money again in the summer, and his contract’s running down, it made sense from his perspective and our perspective.

“I think we got a really good deal on him, as far as the money’s concerned.

“All in all, I think it’s only fair on the kid when he’s asking to leave, and we can’t get to an agreement on the contract.

“It was best for both parties.”

Millwall are chasing promotion to the Premier League, with the team currently occupying a play-off place, sitting fifth after 30 games played.

The Lions are five points clear of seventh place Derby County, and three clear of sixth place Wrexham.

The arrival of Watson was one of three additions made by the Championship side this January, with Barry Bannan and Anthony Patterson also arriving.

Next up for Neil’s side is a trip to face sixth place Wrexham on 7 February in a 3.01pm kick-off as they seek a return to winning ways.

Aidomo Emakhu deal was a tough but fair decision by Millwall

Emakhu was going from strength to strength for Millwall, and this was his most impressive campaign to date with the club.

So it was a blow for Neil to lose someone of his talent at this stage of his career because at the age of 22 he could still go on and develop even further.

But the reality is that he was close to walking away from the club for nothing, so cashing in and getting seven figures for him now is good business.

The arrival of Watson, albeit only on loan, should help make up for his departure amid the team’s push for promotion at least.