Lions says they will listen to offers for Cardiff target
MILLWALL boss Gary Rowett has confirmed that the club will listen to offers for fullback Mahlon Romeo this summer, amid links with Cardiff City.
The 26-year-old has spent the season on loan at Portsmouth, where he’s made 44 appearances in all competitions. Boss Danny Cowley has already admitted that he’d like to keep him, but recently suggested that the right-back was likely to return to the Championship next term.
Now, Lions chief Rowett has suggested that Romeo is likely to be moved on, stating that the club will listen to offers this summer.
He told the South London Press: “I’ve heard other managers talk about our player, which is understandable. The expectation is that I think we’re open to offers in the summer, which is why Mahlon left us to go to Portsmouth. He wanted to play regular football.
“I’m pretty sure he will want to do the same again next season, ideally for him at a higher level. We’ll see what happens.
“He is our player until we get an agreement or an opportunity that fits everybody then that’s what it is really.”
Meanwhile, Belgian side Cercle Brugge are keen to sign Rabbi Matondo, above, on a permanent deal, following the Welshman’s hugely-successful loan spell.
The 21-year-old, on loan from Schalke, has scored 10 goals for Cercle this season, and has been one of the standout performers of Belgian football. Indeed, his form has even seen him recalled to Rob Page’s Wales squad.
Cercle have an option to buy in place for the winger, believed to be around 3 million euros. It’s clear that they are keen to keep him on board for next term, with sporting director Carlos Avina quoted by nieuwsblad as saying: “We are trying to convince Rabbi that it is best for him to stay with Cercle for a while
“He knows our proposal, but of course there are limits. Much will depend on what he himself wants.”
Football Insider claim that newlycrowned Championship champions Fulham are also monitoring his situation.
Former Cardiff City coach James Rowberry has reportedly emerged as the leading contender for the vacancy at Queens Park Rangers.
According to reports, the current Newport County boss fits the bill of what the club could be looking for, with current boss Mark Warburton set to leave at the end of the season once his contract expires.
Rowberry is a highly-regarded name within coaching circles having become one of the youngest coaches to gain his pro licence, achieving UEFA’s top coaching qualification at the age of just 29.
He since went on to work with Neil Warnock and Mick McCarthy in the Welsh capital before taking his first managerial role at Newport in November.
He arrived with County sitting 13th in the table and briefly took them into play-off contention, only for their chances to fade after a run of five defeats in the club’s last eight games.
Nevertheless, he remains highly respected, and his work in south Wales may well have gained him admirers elsewhere.