Millwall are interested in signing Daniel Ballard on a permanent deal, but they’re just one of a number of clubs after the centre-back this summer.

millwall v fulham sky bet championship
LONDON, ENGLAND: Daniel Ballard of Millwall looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Millwall and Fulham at The Den on August 17, 2021. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Getty Images)

The Evening Standard report that Daniel Ballard’s loan club Millwall would love to keep hold of him this summer, but QPR are fans of the centre-back, Burnley, Cardiff, Sheffield United, and Stoke have all scouted him, and there’s interest from abroad as well.

Goal reported earlier this week that Arsenal will sell Ballard this summer for the right offer.

The Gunners have held talks with Ballard’s representatives and come to a mutual agreement that the centre-back will be available for transfer in the coming months.

Both the Standard and Goal agree that Arsenal will look to include a buy-back clause or a first refusal clause in any potential deal.

Northern Ireland's defender Daniel Ballard controls the ball during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification football match between Switzerland and Northern Ireland at the Stade de Geneve, in Geneva on October 9, 2021. (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
Northern Ireland’s defender Daniel Ballard controls the ball during FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification football match between Switzerland and Northern Ireland at the Stade de Geneve, in Geneva on October 9, 2021. (Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)

With William Saliba returning from loan to challenge Gabriel Magalhaes and Ben White, it seems clear that Ballard would have a tough time earning regular minutes.

Arsenal are playing in the Europa League next season, so there’s a hope that some youth players will get chances to impress in the group stage. But at centre-back, that seems unlikely.

We have to bear in mind that Saliba played every minute of the Europa League group stage for Marseille this season, on top of playing 17 of their 18 Ligue 1 games before the turn of the year.

Now Saliba is coming back to compete with White and Gabriel, Arsenal’s second and third busiest outfield players this campaign. Not to mention Rob Holding.

Keeping those four happy with enough minutes on the field is already going to be a struggle. Adding Ballard into the mix makes it a near-impossible task.

Ballard ends the campaign having made 33 appearances (31 starts), a very solid campaign considering his mid-season knee surgery.