Lennon Miller of Motherwell i
Lennon Miller of Motherwell i
Newcastle United and Sunderland could be set for a summer transfer tug-of-war over Scottish teenage midfield sensation Lennon Miller. The Motherwell star has been making headlines in SPL with a series of impressive performances in the centre of the park, prompting speculation about a summer move.
However, he will not be leaving Fir Park on the cheap, with several bids turned down in the January transfer window. A fee of up to £10m could be needed to bring the 18-year-old south of the border, with Newcastle and Sunderland said to be monitoring his progress.
There is likely to be plenty of competition for his signature, with Liverpool also considering a move, while according to EFL Analysis, Leeds United, Sheffield and Middlesbrough are all thought to be keen. Motherwell rejected a bid of around £2.5m from Italian side Udinese in January, while French club Lyon have expressed an interest.
Scotland Under-21 star Miller has played 30 times for Motherwell this season already, scoring four goals and contributing four assists, and has made 67 senior appearances for the club in his career to date, despite his young age. The club's chief executive Brian Caldwell is well aware of his value, but if he does leave, it will be in a move than benefits both the player and Motherwell.
"We are not desperate to sell the player," Caldwell said in January. "We've always said, from day one, it's got to be right for Lennon, it's got to be right for the football club and we're not going to accept any kind of offer.
"Lennon Miller is statistically, I believe, in the top seven players in the world for his age for midfield players, so he's an exceptional talent - we all know that. And, if and when Lennon does move, it will be for the right price for us and it will be right for Lennon Miller at the same time."