Alex Neil is facing double Millwall FC transfer nightmare | OneFootball

The Lions could lose their two prized assets before next Monday's transfer deadline

After narrowly missing out on the Championship play-off places last season, there was strong optimism that Millwall could break into the top-six this time around in Alex Neil's first full season in charge.

Since their promotion back to the second-tier in 2017, there have been a handful of instances where the Lions have been more-than a match for many sides in the division, but have lacked the consistency or final piece of quality to finish inside the cluster of sides vying for promotion to the Premier League.

However, the same cannot be said right now, with Neil having a mixture of several well-established Championship performers to call upon across his squad, as well as the sprinkling of top-quality in key areas of the pitch, but that could soon be taken away from his grasp, with the Scot potentially facing a double transfer nightmare with less than a week until the summer transfer window closes.

Japhet Tanganga and Mihailo Ivanovic have performed magnificently for Millwall

Japhet Tanganga has always been a highly-rated centre-back ever since he progressed through Tottenham Hotspur's academy ranks, although the Championship side from across the Thames would soon benefit from his distinct lack of regular gametime under a handful of managers.

The towering defender's presence was instrumental in turning the Lions' fortunes around in the second-half of the 2023/24 campaign under Neil Harris after initially joining on loan under Joe Edwards, with the club steering themselves clear from relegation danger and into 13th.

The Millwall great then admitted that a permanent stint in the EFL would provide a springboard back into the top-flight for the 26-year-old, who was linked with Wolves and West Ham United in January, stating: "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."

Neil has since been the beneficiary of this deal as Millwall continue to ride a wave of momentum in the early stages of 2025/26, and the former Preston North End will also be in debt to Harris for the then-club-record capture of Serbian hotshot, Mihailo Ivanovic.

As is the case with several unknown quantities in the Championship, it took time for the 20-year-old to adjust to the unrelenting and physical nature of the division, before showing his worth and potential in bucket loads as the campaign progressed, none more so than through a stunning 'scissor-kick' against Luton Town and a sumptuous free-kick at Deepdale vs Preston North End.

With belief growing in these parts that Millwall could eventually reach the top division for just the second time in their history, Neil would have viewed it as a necessity to retain his prized assets, but there is uncertainty over both of their immediate futures with very little time left to replace them.

Japhet Tanganga and Mihailo Ivanovic departures could leave Millwall FC short amid play-off ambition

Unsurprisingly, there have been plenty of departure rumours circling around the Lions' key names, especially after it was revealed that a £1.2m release clause was inserted in Tanganga's contract which could only be activated by Premier League sides amid prior interest from the likes of Sunderland and Wolves.

Not many supporters could begrudge the defender of a move to the top-flight, but many are likely to be bewildered that he is set for Sheffield United in the window's final days, especially after the Blades' dismal start to life under Ruben Selles - which was compounded last weekend by his current employers as Tanganga played no part in the 1-0 success.

Ivanovic is yet to get off the mark in terms of goals after his tally of 12 last term, but amid providing Luke Cundle with a maiden assist of the campaign at Bramall Lane, the young forward could also be set for a move across the Championship to Leicester City, with Marti Cifuentes desperate to add depth and quality to his new squad amid a backdrop of financial uncertainty.

It would be another major kick in the teeth for Neil, supporters and the hierarchy at the Den to lose such a key name to a divisional rival at a time when a play-off spot is the end goal, especially after prior links to English and European top-flight sides such as Everton, Wolves and Lazio.

If both are to leave, it is imperative that the Millwall boss has already lined up adequate replacements and can source them in the limited timeframe remaining. Failure to do so would seriously jeopardise what has been a solid start to the campaign ahead of a gruelling four-month period in which only free agents can be recruited.