Millwall manager Gary Rowett has spoken out about the future of striker Abdul Abdulmalik.
The 18-year-old has been subject to a bid from Swansea in recent days; an offer that was rejected by the Lions. Both Rangers and Arsenal are also said to be scouting the teenager, who is unlikely to sign a contract extension with the English Championship club.
Rowett claims that Abdulmalik’s agent is pushing for the Englishman to leave the Den this summer, and while he is holding out some hope that the forward will stay, he knows he’s facing an uphill battle:
“It’s not something we want to happen, but we’re also aware that there are a lot of clubs trying to attract the best young players at other clubs – that’s just the nature of football. There are different ways to do that.”
“We think he has a really good future and could challenge for our first team. It shows what good work the academy are doing. What you can’t change is sometimes a young agent trying to convince a young player that suddenly there is something better out there.”
“We’ll continue to keep working hard, with all these players, to make them see their best opportunity of first-team football is here at Millwall. We’ve proved that. I would love to see Abdul stay at the club.”
Abdulmalik has not played a senior game yet, although he has impressed in the FA Youth Cup, which led to a call-up for England’s Under 17s.
With his current deal set to expire at the end of the month, he will be free to talk to other clubs, with Rangers only needing to pay minimal compensation for the player if the Scottish Premiership champions do snap him up.
