Bolton, Sheffield United and Millwall are all interested in signing Southend midfielder Ryan Leonard.
AFC Wimbledon’s Jake Reeves in action against Southend United’s Ryan Leonard (R)
Bolton Wanderers, Millwall and Sheffield United have hit another stumbling block in their pursuit of Southend United midfielder Ryan Leonard.
The Southend Echo reports that both the Blades and Millwall have had bids for Leonard rejected, while the Sheffield Star say Bolton are also interested, but Shrimpers chairman Ron Martin has now also issued a hands-off warning.
Southend’s Ryan Leonard
“I’ve met with Lenny and I’ve told him we don’t want to sell him,” Martin told the Southend newspaper.
“We’ve rejected offers from two clubs for him. Our ambition is to get promoted from this league and to get into the Championship so it makes no sense to sell our best players.
“We will be offering him a substantially improved contract and he will receive that this week.”
Coventry’s Adam Armstrong and Southend United’s Ryan Leonard in action
United manager Chris Wilder has previously said that the club will offer “decent money” for Leonard and it is believed the highest bid rejected for the 25-year-old was £300,000.
Wilder has also indicated, however, that he will not risk the finances of the Blades and overpay for the target, so whether a price can be negotiated remains to be seen.
Sheffield United manager Chris Wilder
All three of the interested sides were promoted from League One in 2016/17 and are looking to strengthen ahead of a return to the Championship.
It seems prising Leonard away from Southend will be a major task, though, with Shrimpers boss Phil Brown also stating how much he wants to keep hold of the former Plymouth Argyle man.
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