Sky Bet League One outfit Southend United have warned both Millwall and Sheffield United that transfer target Ryan Leonard will be staying at Roots Hall beyond the current transfer window according to the Southend Echo.
The 25-year-old Plympton born midfielder has been the subject of transfer bids from both The Lions and The Blades this summer.
The two clubs could look to submit further offers for the player on Transfer Deadline Day however Leonard’s current employers have remained defiant and have confirmed that the midfielder will not be sold.
Leonard started his career in the academy system at Plymouth Argyle. The player made just one first team appearance for The Pilgrims and was loaned out to non-league clubs Weston-super-Mare and Tiverton Town during his time at Home Park.
The midfielder signed for current club Southend United in summer 2011 on an initial one-year deal and Leonard has gone on to play a key role for the Essex club. The player has been named the club’s Player of the Season on no less than three occasions while Leonard helped The Shrimpers to promotion from Sky Bet League Two in 2014/2015.
Leonard is only the second player in Southend United’s history to win the club’s Player of the Season award three times while he also scooped both the Goal of the Season and Players’ Player of the Season awards last term.