The Reading defender was on loan at Millwall last season, and the Lions want to make it a permanent affair.
Wolves’ Bjorn Sigurdarson in action with Reading’s Jake Cooper
Millwall have made two offers for Reading man Jake Cooper since the end of the season, with Neil Harris looking to keep the defender at The Den on a more permanent basis, as reported by London News Online.
Cooper made 18 appearances in all competitions for Millwall last season as they won promotion back to the Championship following their relegation in 2015, and obviously made a very good impression on Harris and the rest of the club.
West Brom’s Saido Berahino in action with Reading’s Jake Cooper
After securing promotion, Harris is now seemingly of the belief that he’ll need to bolster his backline in order to have a chance of surviving in the Championship, and feels that the 22-year-old centre back will be just the man to do so.
Speaking about his transfer activity, Harris revealed that two bids had been made and that negotiations were ongoing regarding Cooper, while praising the player himself, but made it clear that he is also looking at defenders from elsewhere.
Crystal Palace’s Yannick Bolasie in action with Reading’s Jake Cooper
“With Coops we have made two financial bids since the close season started,” Harris said, as reported by London News Online. “We are still in talks with Reading at the moment to try and secure Jake.
“He’s a player we highly admire and would like to get in but as with every young player with ability it is hard to prise him away from his current club. We’re very respectful of the fact he is Reading player.
“We need to strengthen the centre-half area. Things are just starting to slowly happen as people return from holidays. While we’d really like to get Jake we have to keep half an eye on other centre-halves who might be signing at other places.”
Millwall manager Neil Harris
Whether Reading boss Jaap Stam has plans for Cooper remains to be seen, but it seems very possible from a Millwall perspective that this deal can happen, though Harris kept hidden the financial sums that had been offered to the Royals.
Following their play-off final defeat to Huddersfield Town, Reading will face Millwall twice next season in Championship fixtures – and could well be facing up against Cooper on those two instances.
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