Millwall Bid For A Permanent Deal For Reading FC's Cooper

Millwall boss Neil Harris has confirmed that the South London club are intent on bringing Jake Cooper to the New Den on a permanent basis after a promising loan spell last season.

Promoted to the Reading first-team under Nigel Adkins in 2014, the Ascot native initially impressed fans as the latest academy product to break through, however he seemed to go backwards under both Steve Clarke and Brian McDermott.

That lack of momentum carried over into Jaap Stam's tenure and after spending the first half of last season on the fringes, Cooper was loaned to Millwall in January.

Now, London News Online have the newly-promoted Championship club's manager Harris quoted as saying that a number of bids have been made for Cooper in recent weeks.

“With Cooper we have made two financial bids since the close season started. We are still in talks with Reading at the moment to try and secure Jake."

“He’s a player we highly admire and would like to get in but as with every young player with ability it is hard to prise him away from his current club. We’re very respectful of the fact he is Reading player.

“We need to strengthen the centre-half area. Things are just starting to slowly happen as people return from holidays.

“While we’d really like to get Jake we have to keep half an eye on other centre-halves who might be signing at other places.”

Would we be happy for Cooper to continue his progression elsewhere? The similar departure of Michail Antonio haunts many fans' and thus another season-long loan to Millwall would probably be the more popular option. Otherwise, let's hope the Royals are able to secure a buy-back clause in case this deal goes ahead and a previously highly-rated player leaves for good.