Disappointment for Millwall and Sheffield United as transfer target Ryan Leonard says he expects to stay at Southend.
Both Millwall and Sheffield United have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of long-term transfer target Ryan Leonard, after the midfielder admitted he expects to stay at Southend United.
The two newly promoted sides have both had bids rejected by the Shrimpers for Leonard, who has spoken out about his future after returning for pre-season training at Roots Hall.
Southend United’s Ryan Leonard
“I expect to stay but I’m not sure what’s going on,” the 25-year-old told the Southend Echo.
“There’s been a lot of speculation about a few different things but it’s all out of my hands.”
The future of Leonard is a saga that has been ongoing for some time, with the Southend Echo reporting that the highest bid received so far for the player is £300,000.
However, chairman Ron Martin has been adamant that the midfield ace – who has been named the club’s player of the year for the past two campaigns – is not for sale and that he would be offered a new contract to convince him to stay in Essex.
There were conflicting reports about what Leonard himself wanted to do, with the Daily Mail claiming that the Plymouth Argyle academy graduate was keen to leave the club this summer and test himself in the Championship.
While these latest quotes from the player do not completely rule out a move, it is becoming increasingly likely that both Millwall and the Blades will have to look elsewhere for recruitment.
Ryan Leonard celebrates after scoring the first goal for Southend
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