“Millwall’s Neil Harris Addresses Premier League Interest in Rising Star Josh Stephenson”
Millwall are prepared to take suitors for Josh Stephenson to a tribunal amid interest from Everton, according to Neil Harris.
Harris told the South London Press on July 9 that with Premier League clubs increasingly targeting young talents, Millwall will ensure they protect their interests if any of their players want to leave.
“We will be very honest as a football club and will only sell any player at the right value where we feel we can get a good deal.”
Brentford, Brighton, and Southampton are reportedly interested in the 18-year-old, who was named Millwall’s Academy Player of the Season last term.
Harris said, “The game has changed over the last five to 10 years. Premier League clubs are now focused on buying young players.
“We had interest in our young players, and that will always be the case at Millwall because we have some excellent players coming through our system. Josh is no different.
If we don’t receive the right offer, then it will go to a tribunal. If it has to be decided that way, so be it.
Josh is a player we really want to work with moving forward. But if any player wants to move on, we will make sure to protect the football club.”
Neil Harris reacts as Everton and Brighton show interest in Josh Stephenson.
Similar to how Everton is holding out for what they believe Jarrad Branthwaite is worth amid bids from Manchester United, it’s no surprise that Millwall aims to protect their interests regarding their young talents.
Kevin Thelwell has already brought three youngsters to Everton’s Under-21 setup this summer: Omari Benjamin from Arsenal, Ceiran Loney from Partick Thistle, and Braiden Graham from Linfield.
They are also pursuing Mason Melia from St. Patrick’s Athletic, competing with Brighton for his signature.
Interest in Stephenson, who can play in defence or midfield and impressed during last season’s FA Youth Cup run, aligns with Everton’s strategy of bolstering an academy that Sean Dyche criticized earlier this year.
If Everton can entice Stephenson from Millwall, it would benefit both clubs to reach a compensation agreement to avoid a potentially contentious tribunal decision. However, this remains an issue to be addressed if a move happens.