The Rumour Mill Strikes Back

Last updated : 19 May 2007 By The Blue Pimpernel
Chris Day
The Day After Tomorrow...
Well, here we are again. Another summer and another round of rumours, counter-rumours and, well, down-right lies. But rest assured, dear reader, here at Millwall Mad, we'll try to wade through the swamp of uncertainty in an effort to try and make some sense of everything that's happening at The Den during the close season.

At it hasn't taken long for the rumours to start brewing, with Brentford's Jo Kuffour the first to be linked with a move to Zampa Road. A Bees messageboard was a hive of activity - sorry - yesterday with talk of the striker being part-exchanged for 'keeper Chris Day, who looks likely to lose his place on the bench next term to rising star Preston Edwards. This one actually has some legs, after Huddersfield boss Andy Ritchie revealed that his approach for the player was rebuffed because "he wants to go to the Championship and if he cannot get fixed up at that level, that he wants to stay around the London area." Make of that what you will.

If Willie Donachie fails to lure Kuffour across London to The Den his next port of call may be closer to home. The Millwall boss is said to be one of four managers chasing the signature of O's striker Gary Alexander, who scored against The Lions both home and away last season. Alexander is also wanted by Peterborough and Northampton Town, as well as being offered an improved contract at Brisbane Road, but Millwall could well be the former Hull City man's preferred choice, considering he's a big Lions fan... But then again, so was Teddy Sheringham apparently.

And The Rumour Mill wouldn't be the same without a Judas rumour and once again the former striker has been linked with a move back to the club, with th offer of a one-year deal and coaching role. Should he return it'll signal an interest battle between him and Neil Harris and the small matter of The Lions' goalscoring records!

Finally, as reported on Millwall Mad last week, Derby County winger Ryan Smith has expressed his interest at staying with the club after impressing during a three-month loan spell. But expressing an interest and that interest becoming reality are two different things, as we know only too well, and a big stumbling block could be the price.

Smith was originally valued at £300,000 but QPR have since showed an interest in the player and now The Rams have upped the price to £500,000, which could be just a tad too rich for new Chairman John Berylson. Unless of course Marvin Elliott finally leaves after his protracted sulk last term.

With Reading and Middlesbrough both sniffing around, the sale of the midfielder could give Willie Donachie just the war-chest he needs to fund his promotion charge next season.

We'll just have to keep watching the skies.