Neil Harris offers update on Japhet Tanganga transfer situation | OneFootball

The Lions boss is running out of patience in the pursuit of the Tottenham Hotspur man

Millwall boss Neil Harris has hinted that the Lions may have to move on from their pursuit of Japhet Tanganga this summer, according to a report from the South London Press.

The Bermondsey outfit are said to have offered the 25-year-old a deal to rejoin the club he spent the second half of last season on loan with, but he is yet to make a decision on his future.

The centre back is set to become a free agent on Sunday once his contract with Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur expires, and with just over 48 hours until that deadline, Harris is still none the wiser about his target’s decision.

The defender is said to have plenty of other suitors this summer aside from Millwall, with recently-relegated Luton Town credited with an interest, as well as Serie A side Parma.

Neil Harris offers Japhet Tanganga update as contract deadline comes into sight

Tanganga had a massive influence on the Lions after his arrival at The Den in January, as he featured 18 times for the Lions as they turned their season’s fortunes around in the second half of the campaign.

As well as being a rock-solid performer at one end, the defender also popped up with two valuable goals during his time with the club, that earned his side valuable points in the battle against the drop in the Championship.

An early goal at St Mary’s contributed to a 2-1 victory at the home of promotion-chasing Southampton in February, before he found the net in the final minutes against Birmingham City in March, to claim a priceless 1-0 win over the Blues.

With his heart-on-sleeve approach to the game, Tanganga endeared himself to the Lions faithful soon after arriving at The Den, leaving Harris eager to snap him up this summer after his departure from Spurs.

But almost two months on from the season coming to an end, the Millwall boss admits he may have to give up the ghost in the chase for the central defender,

Harris told the South London Press: “What I will say now that we’re six weeks down the line from when we talked about it, ultimately we have made Japh a fantastic offer to come to the football club.

“I can’t ask the football club to do any more. He has been a number one priority and target for us all summer.

“But on June 27 we are still sat here and talking about Japhet Tanganga. We can’t do any more than what we’re doing. I fully understand players wanting to play at the highest level possible.

“We are in the realms now that yes, we have players as priorities in positions – but you can’t wait. We always have a plan B, C and D in our minds. Sometimes you just have to move on to plan B.”

Japhet Tanganga transfer battle emerges after Luton Town, Parma interest in Tottenham Hotspur defender

Time is running out for Tanganga to make a decision about his future, with the defender having a tasty triumvirate to pick between for his next destination this summer.

While he could return to familiar grounds with Millwall, Rob Edwards is said to be keen for him to join Luton Town on their return to the Football League, with the Hatters likely to be challenging towards the top of the table over the next 12 months.

Meanwhile, Italian outlet Di Marzio have claimed that Parma are interested in the defender, having earned themselves a return to the Italian top flight after winning Serie B last season.

Although the 25-year-old is not said to be a priority to manager Fabio Pecchia, the lure of top flight football could be the thing holding Tanganga back from committing to the Lions for the season ahead, with Harris set to drop his interest if the silence continues.