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Millwall boss Alex Neil is looking to bolster his defensive options at The Den before the September deadline, as with less than a week to go, Nottingham Forest centre-back Zach Abbott has entered their crosshairs, but two Championship rivals also hold an interest.
According to Alan Nixon's Patreon, Millwall have joined the race for the loan of Nottingham Forest defender Abbott this summer, but face competition from both Preston and Watford for his signature.
Abbott, 20, has featured heavily for Forest's youth teams over the years, but has struggled to break his way into the first team and stay there, as the Championship trio are prepared to offer the England youth international a route into regular first-team football.
Millwall face Preston North End and Watford threat in pursuit of Nottingham Forest defender Zach Abbott
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Nixon has stated that Millwall are one of three second-tier teams keen on taking Abbott on loan for the campaign, whilst both Preston and Watford have submitted rival bids.
Preston's interest was initially reported by Nixon on Tuesday, with Paul Heckingbottom's side eager to utilise the loan market as we enter the latter stages of the window, whilst Watford's interest was reported by Sky Sports News on the same day.
The Hornets have drawn up a seven-man centre-back shortlist this summer, with Mattie Pollock and Kevin Keben their only two recognised senior centre-backs currently in the squad, as Abbott was mentioned alongside the likes of Jake Clarke-Salter of Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield United's Mark McGuinness, and Forest teammate Tyler Bindon.
The Championship has provided a springboard for numerous players over the years to compete and develop in it, as Abbott could be the next in a long line of incredible alumni to utilise the English second tier to their advantage.
Wembley Stadium, Deepdale
Wembley Stadium, Deepdale
Why are Millwall rivalling Preston North End and Watford for Nottingham Forest's Zach Abbott?
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At 20, Abbott doesn't have too much first-team experience to boast about, but has consistently been on the fringes of the squad at the City Ground for the past couple of years.
With the likes of Jair Cunha, Murillo, Nikola Milenkovic, Morato, and Ousmane Diomande ahead of him in the pecking order in Oliver Glasner's back three, there has been little room for opportunity for the youngster under each of Nuno Espirito Santo, Ange Postecoglou, Sean Dyche, or Vitor Pereira previously.
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Zach Abbott Nottingham Forest statistics
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Despite his lack of experience in first-team football, Abbott is extremely highly rated, and Forest will be keen to see him develop over the years and hopefully become a mainstay in their back line in years to come.
Millwall are looking to add another option at the back before the deadline, especially due to the recent injury to Tristan Crama, as Abbott, who is also capable of operating at right-back, would provide cover for each of Jake Cooper, Caleb Taylor, Danny Batth, Elkan Baggott, Mark Sykes, Ryan Leonard, and Jordi Osei-Tutu, whilst also more than capable of pushing for a starting berth.
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Alex Neil is looking to add more options to his Millwall defence before the end of the summer amid Zach Abbott link
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Millwall, having narrowly missed out on automatic promotion last time around, are looking to make no such mistake again.
The Lions have been victorious in all four of their opening matches thus far, defeating QPR on penalties at Loftus Road in the League Cup, beating Bristol City 2-0 at Ashton Gate, battering Norwich City 3-0 at The Den, and advancing to the third round of the League Cup after beating Cambridge United 1-0 away.
Having added each of Sykes, Osei-Tutu, Baggott, and Batth to their defensive ranks so far, Neil is looking for one more option, with Abbott emerging as a target.
Millwall will have to overcome competition from Preston and Watford, but will no doubt be confident of doing so, as this saga is one to keep an eye on entering the final week of the window.