Blues Lining Up Millwall Striker Elliott as Bialkowski Move Could Be Revived Sunday, 28th Jul 2019 21:49 TWTD has learned that Town are lining up a move for Millwall striker Tom Elliott, while we understand discussions are ongoing between the clubs which could see keeper Bartosz Bialkowski’s switch to the Den resurrected. Town have already added James Norwood to their striking ranks this summer but with Kayden Jackson the only other out-and-out fit senior frontman at the club and the attack lacking height, the Blues have appeared certain to make another signing. Elliott, 28, began his career with hometown club Leeds and was handed his first-team debut as a sub aged only 16 when still at school. Spells on loan at Macclesfield, Bury and Rotherham followed before he left Elland Road for Hamilton Academical in January 2011 having made one start and a further two sub appearances. Six months later Elliott, who won caps at England U16 and U18 levels while with Leeds, moved on to Stockport, where he spent a season before departing for Cambridge United. In 2015, having been released after three years with the U’s, the 6ft 4in tall frontman joined AFC Wimbledon where he spent two years before moving on to Millwall in 2017 when his Dons contract expired. Elliott, who suffered a hamstring injury earlier in pre-season, has scored nine goals - including the third in his side’s 3-2 defeat of the Blues at Portman Road on New Year’s Day - in 32 starts and 34 games from the bench for the Lions. Last month Bialkowski’s proposed near-£1 million switch to Millwall broke down due to Lions’ concerns regarding his knee which emerged during his medical, something which has never been considered a worry by the Blues during his five years at the club. The South Londoners tried to renegotiate the deal before Town ultimately pulled the plug. However, we understand discussions are continuing which would see the move revived. Following relegation to League One, Town have been willing to consider bids for Bialkowski, their highest-paid player after the bumper new deal he signed last summer - which runs to the summer of 2021 with the club having an option for a further season - having returned from duty with Poland at the World Cup finals in Russia. That new contract followed the Blues' refusal of a £3 million offer from Birmingham for the former Notts County and Southampton man. Despite having said he is happy at Town - and that he plans to live in Suffolk once he retires - League One football was unlikely to improve Bialkowski’s international prospects and a move back to the Championship has always been on the cards. Bialkowski, an unused sub at Cambridge yesterday, has made 177 starts and one sub appearance for the Blues having signed from Notts County in the summer of 2014 on a free transfer. The 6ft 4in glovesman, who had a short spell on loan at Town in 2009 without making a senior appearance, won the club's Player of the Year gong in three successive seasons before relinquishing the award in 2018/19. If Bialkowski departs the Blues would almost certainly move for another senior keeper prior to the opening game of the season at Burton. Town are understood to have sounded out a number of potential new keepers earlier in the summer, while Bolton’s Remi Matthews, who could be available for free due to the Trotters’ continuing financial crisis, was linked, however, with Championship and Premier League sides all reportedly interested. Speaking on Saturday, Millwall manager Neil Harris revealed that he was hopeful of signing a player early in the week and anticipated someone else moving on. “I do expect somebody in Monday and someone to go out as well,” he told LondonNewsOnline.
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