Millwall manager Gary Rowett has admitted he would like to sign central defender Daniel Ballard on a permanent deal, if the price is right.
Ballard impressed on loan at The Den last season, appearing 33 times and scoring once and was a key member until injury in November saw him miss three months of the season.
An international star already for Northern Ireland, Ballard will have plenty of suitors looking to make a move for him meaning it's likely his price tag will rise.
It's currently believed Arsenal would let the 22-year-old leave the club for £1.7 million, however if a bidding war ensues that could change.
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"I think it’s always a little bit of cat and mouse in any deal, any negotiation and any price,” Rowett said as reported by News At Den.
“Would we want to bring Dan Ballard back to the club at a price that we felt was the right price for us? Of course we would.
“But Arsenal have got a young player and they might have different ideas."
Rowett is keen to speak to the Gunners and see if a deal could be agreed, or if they just want to loan him back out again.
“The point is they may be open to it. We’d certainly be keen if there was an opportunity because he performed so well last year.
“Like any of these deals in the summer, they have to fit around what we want to do. They have to fit around how we see the team developing for next season.
“If they do we can move forward. If they don’t then it’s quite simple, we have to look for other options.
“Dan’s a really good player, he’s got so much potential and I think a lot of clubs would be keen to bring Dan in next season.”
It's unlikely Ballard would have a chance at first team football under Mikel Arteta, with the likes of Rob Holding, Gabriel, Benjamin White and the returning William Saliba all ahead of him in the pecking order, amongst others.
Topics: Arsenal, Mikel Arteta, Millwall, Transfers
Adam Hamdani