Fulham man ‘in talks’ to join Millwall despite Bristol City transfer attempt

Former Bristol City defender Joe Bryan is in talks with Championship club Millwall about a proposed transfer, according to reports.

The 29-year-old is a free agent after his contract wasn’t renewed by Fulham, and Nice opted not to re-sign him on a permanent basis following his season-long loan. Bryan had been a Fulham player for four seasons, and won promotion to the Premier League twice.

Now City’s league rivals Millwall are looking to draw on Bryan’s experience to help take the next step under Gary Rowett. The South London side missed out on a play-off spot on the final day, and having already signed Robins transfer target Kevin Nisbet, are now looking to add Bryan who scored Fulham’s play-off winning goal against Brentford in July 2020.

Telegraph journalist John Percy, who last week broke the news that Bristol City had two bids rejected for Derby County’s Jason Knight said: “Former #Fulham left-back Joe Bryan is in talks with #Millwall. Bryan is now a free agent and lined up for a medical this week if negotiations continue to progress.”

A move to The Den would represent a change in transfer stance from Bryan, who had held discussions with City about a return to Ashton Gate earlier this summer. BristolLive reported earlier this month that CIty had moved on from Bryan, who had apparently indicated his interest in playing overseas.

City’s transfer team were said to have made an ‘early, persuasive, and financially-appealing pitch’ to Bryan in what would have been his second spell at the club. He had attracted interest from Blackburn Rovers, Stoke City, and Welsh clubs Cardiff City and Swansea City, but now it looks like Millwall could steal a march.

Bryan didn’t play many games for Nice, and made just 10 appearances having joined the Ligue One side last summer. His last competitive game was in mid-April, and he made the match-day squad just two times after that but failed to get off the bench.

City have already moved on from Joe Bryan, by signing Haydon Roberts, following his free transfer from Brighton. Roberts played centre-back for Derby County last season, but is predominantly a left-back. He will provide competition for Cam Pring in that role, after Jay Dasilva departed for league rivals Coventry City.