Zian Flemming back to Millwall? Burnley deal must be targeted on one condition | OneFootball

Millwall should make a push to bring Zian Flemming back to The Den from Burnley if they win promotion this season.

Millwall’s dream of reaching the Premier League looks like a real possibility as they head into the final part of the Championship season.

Alex Neil’s men are currently two points behind Middlesbrough, who occupy the second automatic spot, but with a trip to Teesside next on the agenda for the Lions, they know they can move into the top two with a victory.

So, the stakes are high for Millwall, but there will be a belief that they can finish the job, despite Neil working with much smaller resources than many of their promotion rivals.

Millwall’s excellent recruitment has served them well in recent years

Even if Millwall fall short this season, it’s clear they’re a club on the rise, and a key reason for that has been their work in the transfer market.

The likes of Camiel Neghli, Mihailo Ivanovic, Caleb Taylor and Josh Coburn have all joined and made a big impact on the team, with Tristan Crama and Femi Azeez undoubtedly two of the best signings in the division across the past few years.

As well as that, Millwall have begun selling well, with player trading increasingly vital for clubs their size if they want to progress.

Japhet Tanganga and Zian Flemming are the two big success stories in that sense, and whilst it was a shame for Millwall to lose the duo after they had impressed on the pitch, those sales were the right thing to do for the club at the time.

Millwall must explore Zian Flemming return if they win promotion

Obviously, promotion to the Premier League would change the financial dynamic at Millwall considerably.

You would still expect them to have the smallest budget by a distance in the top flight, but the summer window would bring a chance for serious investment by Millwall’s previous standards.

Their recent record in the market means the recruitment team at The Den will be trusted to get things right, and it would be no surprise if they tried to bring Flemming back to the club.

As mentioned, the Dutchman was a popular figure with the Londoners, which came after he enjoyed a superb first season at the club following his arrival from Sittard.

Flemming scored 15 goals as Millwall just missed out on the play-offs, and even though his second season was tougher, he still recorded over double figures in goals and assists.

That was enough for Burnley to sign the player, and after scoring 12 in 35 to take the Clarets to the Premier League, he has been one of few success stories at Turf Moor this season.

Scott Parker’s side look nailed on for relegation, but Flemming has found the net eight times in 22 games, which is a very good return considering their position.

Should Millwall go up, scoring goals will be an issue they must address, as they are the lowest scorers in the top six, so several attackers are likely to arrive.

In Flemming, Millwall would be getting someone who has shown he can produce in the Premier League, and his physicality means he would be ideally suited to the way Neil wants to play. He will rough up defenders, he can win fouls, and he is a general nuisance to play against, as well as boasting genuine quality on the ball and in the air.

With Burnley’s inevitable relegation, they will have to raise funds this summer, so you would imagine there is a deal there to be done, and it’s a move that could suit all parties.

When Flemming signed for Millwall, he would have been dreaming of going up and playing for the club in the Premier League.

It may not have played out in the way anyone expected, but if Millwall can defy the odds and win promotion this season, then bringing Flemming back would make a lot of sense - and he could fulfil that aim with the Lions next season.