Exclusive: David Prutton reacts as Millwall eye transfer for Middlesbrough player | OneFootball

Millwall would look shrewd operators landing this out-of-contract Middlesbrough defender

Middlesbrough defender Anfernee Dijksteel is out of contract at the end of the season.

A new deal has not been forthcoming, and journalist Darren Witcoop is reporting that both QPR and Millwall are interested in the potential free agent.

With play-offs still very much in play – Boro being one of their competitors for a late entry – it won’t be top of the agenda right now, but those behind the scenes will already be busy scoping out potential deals like this mooted move for Dijksteel.

We asked Sky Sports pundit David Prutton for his thoughts on whether the 28-year-old would prove a good addition for Alex Neil’s side.

Dijksteel to Millwall makes sense

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Prutton said: “Anfernee Dijksteel, free in the summer, I would say he’d be solid enough for Millwall.

“Depending on how Boro’s season ends up, of course, he might be a free agent potentially in a Premier League side, so that might be a different discussion entirely.

“What Millwall have done under Alex Neil has been superb and potentially the clubs that would have spoken to Alex and didn’t fancy him might be kicking themselves a bit now.

“What is he, 28? Decent experience in England with Charlton and Boro, good age, I would say, on a free and has been solid and part of a Boro side that has flirted with the play-offs over the last few seasons under Michael Carrick.

“So, on a free, if the figures work, then I can see that, yeah.”

Move looks sensible for Millwall and Dijksteel

Dijksteel, should he become a free agent, is something of a rare market opportunity in the Championship, and it’s little wonder the likes of Millwall and QPR are primed to pounce.

In the prime of his career, with almost a full season under his belt for a promotion-chasing second-tier side, on a free transfer: deals like that are rare.

The fact that Dijksteel has still not signed a new contract at this stage, having been an important player for Boro this season, suggests that either he feels a move is best, the club don’t see his future there, or some combination of the two.

Being in the prime of his career, as he is, the Suriname international needs to go somewhere where he is valued and will be given the seniority his experience demands.

Although he didn’t begin the season as a first-team starter, and has been afforded his opportunities thanks in part to injuries elsewhere in the squad, he has notable second-tier experience on his CV – 152 Championship appearances to date – which warrants him being more than a back-up option at this stage of his career.

He’s also adaptable, having split his time between centre-back and right-back in the past.

That flexibility is thought highly of by managers, giving them greater security throughout a lengthy season that will throw up unexpected issues.

In Dijksteel, Millwall would be getting an experienced head with plenty of his prime years left without the need to pay a transfer fee.

In Millwall, Dijksteel would be joining a team that looks to be on the up under Neil and, if they don’t get a play-off place this time around, they’ll be gearing up to have another go next term.