Millwall star loved by Alex Neil to sign for ex Premier League club after contract disagreement

Former Wolves and Middlesbrough midfielder George Saville is set to become a free agent this summer having turned down a new contract at Millwall.

The player is expected to sign for League One club Luton Town, as per journalist Richard Cawley. The Hatters, who were playing Premier League football just over 12 months ago, have plummeted to League One after a torrid Championship campaign saw them place 22nd.

The 32-year-old made 49 appearances across all competitions last season and was a prominent figure under both Neil Harris and Alex Neil. Saville has been at The Den since 2021 and racked up 241 appearances for the club - the most he has managed for any team in his career so far.

The Northern Ireland international previously spent loan spells at Millwall in 2013 and 2015 before first joining permanently in 2017. Saville is a product of the Chelsea academy and has also enjoyed stays at Wolves and Middlesbrough since 2014.

Millwall midfielder set to leave club as free agent

The player made 118 appearances for Boro and 57 for Wolves and is somewhat of a Championship veteran - the North East club paid around £8 million to recruit the midfielder form Millwall in 2019. Saville has played a total of 378 times in the division, scoring 34 goals and picking up 19 assists from his trademark defensive midfield role. Saville’s only goal last term came in the penultimate match of the campaign against Swansea City, helping the Lions to a 1-0 win as they chased a play-off place.

NewsAtDen reports that Saville was indeed offered a new contract by Millwall but that the terms of that offer were on lower wages than the ones he earns currently. The midfielder is reported to be one of the highest paid players in the squad.

The outlet adds that the player is ‘understood to be well-respected by everybody at the club’ and is a ‘leader’ in the dressing room. It is expected that Saville’s prominence in the squad would begin to fade, having often started on the bench over the second half of the campaign. The club’s reduced contract offer is expected to signpost a new and more hardline transfer strategy.

Luton Town set to recruit George Saville

Millwall head coach Neil had praise for Saville in May as the Championship season came to a close, complimenting the midfielder’s professionalism. Following his goal against Swansea City, Neil said: “Sav, as well as all the experienced players, have been brilliant, whether it be on the pitch, off the pitch.

“With George in particular, I think in the last eight, nine games, he’s maybe not featured as prominently because Billy was playing more often. So I think that’s been a little element of frustration for him, but he conducted himself supremely well. He’s been really professional, really supportive to his teammates.

“Then, obviously, in recent weeks, he’s come back into the side and played a prominent role, particularly in the last two home wins that we got. I thought Sav arguably put his two best performances together. He’s been a key member, along with a lot of other senior players who have done very well for us since I came here. We just need them to try and do it one more time.”

Saville will be a head-turning signing for Luton Town as the club licks their wounds following relegation. The Hatters saw their drop down to League One confirmed on the final day of the Championship season, finishing 22nd and level on points with Hull City in 21st. Luton Town parted ways with Rob Edwards in January before appointing Matt Bloomfield.

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