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Blues Lining Up Millwall Striker Elliott as Bialkowski Move Could Be Revived
Sunday, 28th Jul 2019 21:49

TWTD has learned that Town are lining up a move for Millwall striker Tom Elliott, while we understand discussions are ongoing between the clubs which could see keeper Bartosz Bialkowski’s switch to the Den resurrected.

Town have already added James Norwood to their striking ranks this summer but with Kayden Jackson the only other out-and-out fit senior frontman at the club and the attack lacking height, the Blues have appeared certain to make another signing.

Elliott, 28, began his career with hometown club Leeds and was handed his first-team debut as a sub aged only 16 when still at school.

Spells on loan at Macclesfield, Bury and Rotherham followed before he left Elland Road for Hamilton Academical in January 2011 having made one start and a further two sub appearances.

Six months later Elliott, who won caps at England U16 and U18 levels while with Leeds, moved on to Stockport, where he spent a season before departing for Cambridge United.

In 2015, having been released after three years with the U’s, the 6ft 4in tall frontman joined AFC Wimbledon where he spent two years before moving on to Millwall in 2017 when his Dons contract expired.

Elliott, who suffered a hamstring injury earlier in pre-season, has scored nine goals - including the third in his side’s 3-2 defeat of the Blues at Portman Road on New Year’s Day - in 32 starts and 34 games from the bench for the Lions.

Last month Bialkowski’s proposed near-£1 million switch to Millwall broke down due to Lions’ concerns regarding his knee which emerged during his medical, something which has never been considered a worry by the Blues during his five years at the club.

The South Londoners tried to renegotiate the deal before Town ultimately pulled the plug. However, we understand discussions are continuing which would see the move revived.

Following relegation to League One, Town have been willing to consider bids for Bialkowski, their highest-paid player after the bumper new deal he signed last summer - which runs to the summer of 2021 with the club having an option for a further season - having returned from duty with Poland at the World Cup finals in Russia.

That new contract followed the Blues' refusal of a £3 million offer from Birmingham for the former Notts County and Southampton man.

Despite having said he is happy at Town - and that he plans to live in Suffolk once he retires - League One football was unlikely to improve Bialkowski’s international prospects and a move back to the Championship has always been on the cards.

Bialkowski, an unused sub at Cambridge yesterday, has made 177 starts and one sub appearance for the Blues having signed from Notts County in the summer of 2014 on a free transfer.

The 6ft 4in glovesman, who had a short spell on loan at Town in 2009 without making a senior appearance, won the club's Player of the Year gong in three successive seasons before relinquishing the award in 2018/19.

If Bialkowski departs the Blues would almost certainly move for another senior keeper prior to the opening game of the season at Burton.

Town are understood to have sounded out a number of potential new keepers earlier in the summer, while Bolton’s Remi Matthews, who could be available for free due to the Trotters’ continuing financial crisis, was linked, however, with Championship and Premier League sides all reportedly interested.

Speaking on Saturday, Millwall manager Neil Harris revealed that he was hopeful of signing a player early in the week and anticipated someone else moving on.

“I do expect somebody in Monday and someone to go out as well,” he told LondonNewsOnline.


Photo: Action Images



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ArnieM added 21:53 - Jul 28
Town looking to offload Bart's ridiculously high serges.
4

Tractorboy58 added 21:57 - Jul 28
Could end up as a good bit of business...expect a flurry of activity this week. I reckon this one will happen + a central defender and maybe another keeper coming in
6

runaround added 22:00 - Jul 28
I watched Elliott a few times when he played for AFC Wimbledon & was mightily impressed
8

bringmeaKuqi added 22:00 - Jul 28
I would rather see us concentrate on fullback and centre back cover than another striker
0

Cakeman added 22:02 - Jul 28
In the words of Captain Mainwaring....”you're getting into the realms of fantasy” in other words this close season is just unbelievable.
I hope that the players who don't want to be with us just go. We will never compete unless all of our players want to be with us.
To be fair to Bart he has never pushed for a move but all of this uncertainty will not help his performances or ours as a team. The same applies to Alan Judge also.
1

deano85 added 22:06 - Jul 28
Kinda feel bad for jackson...
Also wondering if wright would be conciderd as a second keeper as someone has already been bought in to replace him in the youths..?
1

OwainG1992 added 22:08 - Jul 28
To be honest I'd be happy with this sort of switch.
I've only heard good things about Remi Mathews too.
1

Devereuxxx added 22:08 - Jul 28
Seems like this would be good business. Bart's wages are off the books. We get a striker in return.

Although his scoring record isn't great, we're already got our out-and-out goalscorer in Norwood, and Elliott could work well as his foil. Good height and seeing as he'd be coming down from the league above, good experience.
5

Mingochutney added 22:11 - Jul 28
9 goals in 2 seasons is hardly prolific for a striker
3

blockb_steward added 22:12 - Jul 28
This guy played well for them 2nd half. I don't think it reflects on Jackson - it's another attacking option with presence and height.
1

Suffolkboy added 22:13 - Jul 28
Slowly slowly catchee monkey ! Let's not jump up or down yet , we can and should rely faithfully on PL and his team to exercise the options discreetly and professionally : I'm sure they do and will not let us down !
So whilst we wait with growing anticipation , if not anxiety , let us keep optimism ultimately to the fore !
COYB ,you can do it !
4

stig4532 added 22:14 - Jul 28
Would be very happy with this. Tom Elliott is a handful, strong and tall and would link up with Norwood a bit like the Murphy/McGoldrick partnership, playing off each other. Would work well with Jackson and Sears. Realistically, 4 senior strikers is about right for any squad.

Bialkowski leaving wouldn't be too bad as his wages are high and could command a £1-2m transfer fee.
5

RoyalAscotBlue added 22:16 - Jul 28
Scored 9 goals in 39 League 1 appearances for AFC Wimbledon 2016/17, so he has some experience but not much. I would rather we signed a decent centre half, preferably a left footed one.

If this deal does go through I hope it's not just a straight swap.
0

Blue1885 added 22:21 - Jul 28
Millwall fan here with a liking for Town . Elliott was out of his depth in the Championship and most of us would be happy to drive him to Portman Road. Having said that he may do well in League 1 and does try hard. Best used as an impact sub in the last 30 minutes . Immobile and quite slow but he can be a handful on his day.
6

RoyalAscotBlue added 22:24 - Jul 28
Obviously I want us to get cash + Elliott.
0

BlueandTruesince82 added 22:39 - Jul 28
Holy getting the 90 at Cambs U suggests PL sees him as no 1 now. No doubt Barts wages are a big factor in how much we can do for anyone incomming.

We do need some height because there will be some physical battles in this division so physicality is an option we need.

Him plus a few quid for Bart 'hopefully' gives the room for 2 or 3 more additions.

PL says most busisness will be done on frees and so a look down the frees list must give some clues. I can't see too many stand out names.

Will Buckley looks available with Boltons woes and could do a job. Alan Hutton would be a short term option but think he will have more attractive options.

Jordon Mutch is experienced but has been in Vancouver, mayne offers something at this level...... surely we must be looking at least 1 other loan? I wouldn't want to see any more than that ideally.... Quite happy to see Bart stay but understand a need to see him go and Holy looks capable so far.....

A a versitile RB/CB or both really needed. Woolfie starts for me. Chambo and Toto competing for the other. Hope somone splashes silly money on Webster
3

TractorRoyNo1 added 22:43 - Jul 28
Centre-forward Elliott, 28, has activated an extra year on his terms but Harris is keen to bring in at least two strikers this summer.

And there is likely to be League One interest in the former AFC Wimbledon man.

“Tom had an option which was triggered by playing games earlier this season,” said Harris. “Tom is under contract with us.

“But Tom is a player who has had frustrating spells in the team and out of the team with us. I've had some really good conversations with Tom about his future.

“Tom is one who could be with us next season, because he is under contract, but he might want to go somewhere to play a lot more football, to be a real regular in the team.

“Tom had a lot of off-the-field issues this year — family-wise — and had to do some travelling backwards and forwards to Leeds. There is an element now that he might want to be closer to his family.

“There are things there for him to mull over this summer. He is just one of a few players we have to decide what is best for the player and the club.”
0

bournemouthblue added 23:07 - Jul 28
Could be the targetman we are looking for?
1

budgieplucker added 23:13 - Jul 28
To be honest a big lump option upfront is probably what we need to add to our armoury. His record not prolific at this level but decent for perhaps squeezing into double figures, although I Don't necessarily see him starting too many games unless he is on fire but puts Jackson under pressure which is what he needs and of course we have the “Fredster” to come back from injury who should do very well at this level.

James Bree on loan perhaps for 12 months and sign up one of the centre half trialist and a back up goalkeeper and all sorted.
2

AK74 added 23:23 - Jul 28
I expect Bart to leave, but Millwall?
6

Oldozblue added 04:18 - Jul 29
I think any material transfer fee for Bart is now wishful thinking - poor form last season, currently appears second choice at a League 1 Club and now a medical issue. Looks like a player exchange for a striker and getting shot of Bart's high wages is probably the best that can be expected.
2

Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 04:51 - Jul 29
Norwood certainly needs support up front. Millwall don't rate Elliot at all, but he might just provide the muscle to create chances for others. With Evans' current policy, we are not going to get in a high-profile striker. PL is doing the best he can in the circumstances. Let's hope it works.
1

lightingblue added 06:41 - Jul 29
Personally, defenders are what we need. It's proved our downfall for more than a while now. It's simple football, if you make it hard to concede then the points tally will chip away nicely. Did wonders for arsenal under George Graham. Surely that theory hasn't changed that much. Is our defence generally good enough and with the strength in depth to support this. As said, don't concede and that's a positive start. Sorry to state the obvious.
0

management added 07:17 - Jul 29
Sorry, refer to any Millwall supporter and Elliott is truly a below par player, understand the need to move Bart on but suggest straight cash transaction here.
1

Stato added 07:19 - Jul 29
Millwall outplayed us on this one and held their nerve on offloading unwanted player rather than cash. All that said Norwood plays off scraps so we need 2 up top or it's gonna be more difficult to get the best out of Norwood
1


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