Crystal Palace and Leeds United handed transfer blow by in-demand Millwall star

Crystal Palace and Leeds United are set to have to take their hunt for defensive reinforcements away from Championship outfit Millwall.

The two Premier League clubs, as well as newly promoted Sunderland and Burnley, had been credited with interest in Lions man Japhet Tanganga. The centre-back has enjoyed an impressive year and a half at The Den but reports of a £1.2 million release clause had emerged in recent weeks.

The defender has been central to Millwall’s progress under Neil Harris and Alex Neil, making 61 appearances since first joining the club in January 2024. That move was initially a loan deal but it was made permanent last summer, despite quotes from Tanganga which suggested that he was keen to fight for a place under Ange Posteocglou at Spurs.

Crystal Palace and Leeds United interested in Millwall defender

Tanganga does have Premier League experience, having featured in the division 27 times for Spurs. He’s also been blooded in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League.

However, transfer specialist Alan Nixon has reported that Tanganga is set to reject any interest from a Premier League club in preference of a move to Europe. Germany and France are named as preferred destinations for the 26-year-old.

The player’s Premier League suitors had heads turned by the cut-price release clause but that may not be on offer to European sides, which could make a deal harder to broker. Tanganga signed a long-term contract with Millwall last summer.

Eagles target Japhet Tanganga as Marc Guehi replacement

Crystal Palace interest in the defender came amid rumours of an exit for stalwart Marc Guehi. The 24-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Newcastle United or Arsenal and his departure would leave a hole for Oliver Glasner and the Eagles to fill.

Football Insider provided an update on the Guehi saga over the weekend, claiming that the Magpies and the Gunners would ‘go head to head’ in efforts to sign the England international. It’s added that it remains an ‘open race’ with Crystal Palace actively working on replacements.

Millwall are said to have rejected bids for Tanganga in January that were in excess of £1.2 million, instead choosing to prioritise their play-off push. Speaking about the former Tottenham man after a particularly impressive performance against Leeds United last season, in which the defender scored the winner in a 1-0 victory, former Millwall boss Neil Harris said: “That’s why I rung him every day in the summer. I get on brilliantly with Japh. I just promised him rhythm, games, doing the best we can to keep him fit and giving him a platform to enjoy his football, and to re-start and kickstart his career again, because he’s a Premier League player all day long, we all know that.

“He’s had a really tough four years with injuries and disappointing loans, where it hasn’t quite worked for him and he’s not been looked after in the right manner to keep him fit after a couple of long-term injuries. We want him on the pitch every week and he knows his place in the team. I know what he’s excellent at, which is pretty much everything.”

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