Ipswich Town are reportedly interested in signing Zian Flemming from Millwall this summer.
According to London News Online, the newly-promoted Premier League side are weighing up a move for the Dutchman.
The Tractor Boys are planning for life in the top flight after finishing second in the Championship table, gaining back-to-back promotions.
Flemming has spent two seasons at the Den, contributing 22 league goals and eight assists from 89 appearances (all stats from Fbref).
The 25-year-old signed for the Lions in 2022 from Dutch side Fortuna Sittard in a deal worth a reported £1.7 million.
Carlton Palmer gives Zian Flemming transfer verdict
Carlton Palmer believes it could take between £5 or 6 million to convince Millwall to cash in on Flemming this summer.
He has suggested that the London club could otherwise risk holding onto him for another year due to their 12-month extension option, as another prolific campaign could raise his transfer value.
“Ipswich Town earned back-to-back promotions, back to the Premier League for the first time in over 20 years, are busily looking at players, casting their scouting far and wide to bring in the quality they need to stay in the Premier League next season,” Palmer told Football League World.
“One player that they’re looking at is Millwall’s striker Zian Flemming.
“Flemming was unable to repeat last season’s feat of 15 goals but has still come up with eight goals this season.
“He’s 25, he’s joined Millwall in 2022 and has been one of their key players.
“His contract expires in the summer of 2025, but Millwall hold an option to extend his stay in London for a further 12 months, so pretty much Millwall are in charge of the situation.
“But they may choose to cash in on Flemming should they get a decent offer.
“I would think anything around the £5m-£6m mark, they may well be interested in taking, which would help them reinvest in the squad to get into the play-offs, or even better, next season.
“It will take a sizable offer to let him go, he’s very popular with the supporters at the Den, and he’s been an integral part [of their squad].
“He’s still only 25, so they could sit on him for another year and he’d only be 26, hope that he hits 15 or 16 goals and then they would be looking at more money.
“Maybe £8m to 10m, a striker won’t come cheap.
“It’s one of those, could he play in the Premier League? You never know until a player steps up there, but he’s done very well at a Championship level.”
Zian Flemming’s importance to Millwall
| Zian Flemming – Millwall league goals and appearances (per Fbref.com) | ||||
| Season | Appearances (Starts) | Goals (Assists) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 43 (40) | 15 (3) | ||
| 2023-24 | 46 (43) | 7 (5) | ||
Flemming was a key part of Gary Rowett’s side in his first year at the club, with his 15 league goals powering the team to an eighth place finish.
However, it was a more difficult second season in the Championship, with Neil Harris ultimately taking the reins of the first team squad.
Flemming wasn’t as influential as in his first year, but was still the team’s biggest goal contributor.
But Millwall ended up finishing just 13th in the table, 14 points adrift of the play-off places.
Flemming sale looks more likely this summer
Flemming attracted a lot of transfer interest last summer too, with Burnley seeing four bids rejected for the playmaker.
It was reported then that Millwall had set a £15 million asking price for the player after an excellent debut campaign for the club.
It looks unlikely that Ipswich will need to pay that much in order to convince the Lions to cash in this year.
A sale to the Tractor Boys is much likelier this year after an underwhelming campaign for Millwall.
