Millwall’s £200k fear revealed with Rangers set for action | OneFootball

Millwall fear they could lose 16-year-old forward Zak Lovelace for less than £200,000 in compensation with Rangers set to accelerate their pursuit of the teenager, according to the Daily Record.

The Scottish club have been linked with a move for the up-and-coming Championship forward since January but it seems we could have some clarity over the situation soon with the 2021/22 campaign nearly done.

The Daily Record has now reported that the Lions have offered the 16-year-old a professional contract but that they fear they could see him join Rangers instead.

The Ibrox outfit are ready to accelerate their pursuit of Lovelace as they look to make a move similar to the one that brought Calvin Bassey to Glasgow from Leicester City in 2020.

Millwall are believed to be concerned that a move to the Scottish club could see them receive less than £200,000 as opposed to the £1 million-plus they could generate should he sign for another English club.

Premier League duo Leicester City and Southampton were both touted with an interest in the 16-year-old in January.

Lovelace became Millwall’s second-youngest player ever when he made his debut for the south London club in December and has gone on to make five appearances in total.

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The Verdict

It would be a gutting blow for Millwall to not only lose Lovelace but receive less than £200,000 in compensation in return.

The 16-year-old is clearly a player that Gary Rowett rates, having been handed five Championship appearances in 2021/22, and the interest in him shows what huge potential he’s got.

That will make it hard to keep hold of him, though the Lions would point to the involvement of Tyler Burey last season as an example of the opportunities that could come soon for the player should he stay at the club.

The path to the first team may be a slower one at Rangers but they’re a big club and it’s a move that has certainly worked out for Bassey, who played in a major European final last week.