Millwall FC: Neil Harris reacts to Macaulay Langstaff transfer bid reports | OneFootball

The Lions were said to have submitted an offer for the Notts County forward.

Millwall manager Neil Harris has addressed the reports that his side have made a bid for Notts County forward Macaulay Langstaff.

Football Insider stated on Thursday that the London-based team had made an offer to their League Two counterparts for the record goalscorer. He became the highest single-season scorer in Notts and National League history when he netted 42 times in the 2022/23 campaign.

The online outlet believe that Harris is keen to add Langstaff to his squad, but that County, who recently made their prolific frontman their club captain, are keen to hold on to him.

The expectation is that he will leave County before the close of the summer transfer window, according to Darren Witcoop. He added that five teams are interested in him, three of them being from League One, and he also understands that Millwall made a bid for the striker.

Previous reports had linked Swansea City with a move for the 27-year-old, as former Notts boss Luke Williams looks to add attacking options this summer.

Harris, who managed in League Two last season before eventually ending up back at The Den, but never actually came up against County and their formidable forward, has commented on the reports linking his side to Langstaff.

Neil Harris' response to Millwall, Macaulay Langstaff links

The Millwall boss hasn't confirmed whether the news of a bid being made by the Lions for the 27-year-old is true or not.

"I'm fully aware of what has been written in the press and leaked online," said Harris, via South London Press sports editor Richard Cawley. "But I am not prepared to talk about other club's players in detail.

"What I will say is I'm fully aware of the player, having started last season in League Two and seen a lot of the player at the start of the season and watched a lot of National League football the season before. I'm fully aware of his attributes."

Langstaff scored 28 goals last season, which equated to over 30% of County's total goals output.

One forward that Millwall can guarantee will be theirs next season is Tom Bradshaw. An option in the Welshman's contract was triggered to extend his stay in London by a further 12 months. Prior to this, he was set to become a free agent at the start of July.

He hopes to finish his career with Millwall. He told SLP: "I’ve made it clear ever since I signed that I love it here. I’ve got a really good connection with the fans and my family are from the area.

"But I realise you don’t get contracts based off sentiment. It’s about how you are playing and whether you deserve a new deal."

Langstaff's attributes could translate well in the Championship

The big fear with buying a player from League Two, as a second tier side, is are they going to be able to adapt and work at this new level. It's a massive step-up for any player, but the 27-year-old's best qualities are ones that could also do him good in the Championship.

The two things that he's probably best at is finishing and his positioning in the box. He scores so many goals from just being in the right place at the right time. That knack doesn't usually leave you as you go up the ranks; the same can be said for finishing.

If he was a striker that was succeeding just because of his physical dominance in the fourth tier then there would be huge concerns about spending money on him.

The difference in the athleticism of the players in the two divisions is massive. Someone like that would be in for a rude awakening against players that were going to be as strong, as quick, but probably better technical footballers.