Millwall sent clear message over Oliver Burke as Sheffield United make their position known

Paul Heckingbottom says he will only allow Oliver Burke to join Millwall 'if it makes sense'. The Blades boss admitted he has spoken to Gary Rowett as the Lions' boss confirmed his interest in making last season's loan move a permanent switch.

However, despite being surplus to requirements last season, Millwall will still need to meet Sheffield United's valuation of the 25-year-old otherwise 'it's pointless', Heckingbottom insisted.

Burke was expected to be among the players without a future after failing to impress following his move from West Brom in the summer of 2020. He was unable to command a regular starting place last season under Slavisa Jokanovic and Heckingbottom, who gave him the green light to leave when the winter window opened.

Ironically due to the injury problems Sheffield United suffered last season he may well have found game time a lot easier to come by had he stayed, but still impressed Rowett sufficiently for the Millwall boss to want to pick up the phone to Heckingbottom again.

But with Heckingbottom's budget reduced from last season and a smaller squad to work with, he will not be allowing any player to leave unless it makes financial sense and he is sure of a replacement.

Addressing Burke's future this week, Heckingbottom is relaxed about the current situation. He said: "Burkey is back and I have spoken to Gary Rowett about him and spoken to Burkey about it.

"He's our player, so unless it makes sense it's pointless, pointless, regardless. We either need to use money to bring players in, which is fine, so it has to be the right money, but we have to also know we are going to get those players in.

"It was right in January for him to go and play and he wanted to, no problem, but as the season