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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ITFCsince73 added 07:40 - Jul 29 I expected another player to come in soon....but Elliot.
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robmonkey007 added 07:56 - Jul 29 Any chance he enjoys playing centre back? That would be a bonus.
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tractorboybig added 08:13 - Jul 29 another sick note being off loaded...keep well away
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martin587 added 08:16 - Jul 29

It's going to be a busy week with a few coming and goings before the transfer deadline I expect.I can understand Bart going as he is a high wage earner but I would like to see a CB as this is the weakest place at the moment.Not sure about the Millwall lad as I feel we have enough up front with Sears to come back later this year.Wont be surprised if Dozzell leaves though.Roll on Saturday.

Radlett_blue added 08:54 - Jul 29

Elliott is a big lump & proved quite a handful when Millwall stuffed us 3-0 just after Lambert had joined. We lack a physical presence & I think he could be a good signing. Those who deride him should pinch themselves, have a reality check and realise we're in the 3rd division. Getting rid of a possibly shot Bart & his high wages when we have Holy is also no bad thing IMO.

shouldistayorcounago added 08:58 - Jul 29 Don't see Bart leaving personally. I don't think he's that bothered if he goes, sure he would love to play as hogh as possible but I don't get the vibe he's that fussed if he has to stay. I doubt this one will happen.
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londontractorboy57 added 09:02 - Jul 29 Hamstring injury jog on we have got enough sick notes.
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TractorRoyNo1 added 09:19 - Jul 29 reality check, millwall are in 2nd tier we are in 3rd tier, he was pretty good at AFC Don's in sh!te league
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TractorRoyNo1 added 09:21 - Jul 29 yeah we don't want another sick note, ask Shef Utd about Mcgoldrick
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runningout added 09:29 - Jul 29 Yawn
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Len_Brennan added 09:32 - Jul 29

There's a lad at Portsmouth that I think might be a better option for us, Ellis Harrison he's called & apparently was recently valued at less than half a million.
I get that we need another forward, with a physical presence, who can hold up the ball & create chances for Norwood & onrushing midfielders, but I'm not enthused by the prospect of Elliott coming in. Hopefully I'm wrong.

TimmyH added 09:35 - Jul 29 Really can't be that much cop otherwise Millwall wouldn't be offloading him as part of a deal or maybe there's probably another issue with him (injuries).
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runningout added 09:36 - Jul 29 James Norwood is not the whole answer to our weak goal threat. Loan hungry pests of footballers until our injured types sort their lives out
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Razor added 09:52 - Jul 29 Would prefer Daryl Murphy for a season if it could be done
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inghamspur added 09:55 - Jul 29 Bart won't want to stick around if he's no. 2
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ITFCsince73 added 10:00 - Jul 29 If there's one player to leave over recent years, to bite us on the backside its Harrison. Pompey got a bargain. He scored 16 goals last time out in L1, playing for a below average side. Watch him score a hat full for an attacking pompey side.
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HARRY10 added 10:16 - Jul 29 "It's going to be a busy week with a few coming and goings before the transfer deadline ..." what ? it is not for another month yet
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Linkboy13 added 10:29 - Jul 29 Tractor roy 1 Mcgoldrick was Sheff Utd's fans player of the year more sour grapes from the so called fans. If we are going to get out of this league we need a big striker don't think we can do it by playing fancy football teams are going to hit us hard being a big scalp in this league so we need a route one option.
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oldblue added 10:32 - Jul 29

Reports from Millwall contacts suggest they will be happy for Elliott to go...being realistic we are a League 1 side now and maybe shouldnt expect too much..anyway no money to spend so this is what you get..but a change of scene and he could succeed with us....we have had few very poor players over the years some of whom cost a lot more than this guy..hope for the best

ITFCsince73 added 10:41 - Jul 29 And as predicted, the slide with the bookies gathers pace. Now not alone as second favourites.
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MickMillsTash added 11:02 - Jul 29 He's caused us problems and gives us options. Would help defending set pieces- we lack height Not sure Bart will be at his best dealing with the crosses in league 1 Do it!
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SouperJim added 11:18 - Jul 29 Tom Elliott got player of the year for Wimbledon in league one before he moved to Millwall. He's a big strong support striker and an aerial threat, exactly what we need. Could work out very nicely for us.
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