MILLWALL are unlikely to take no for an answer in their pursuit of James Hanson.
City last week knocked back a bid from the Lions, which was believed to fall well short of their own valuation for the club’s longest-serving player.
But Hanson is understood to still top Millwall’s summer wish-list as Neil Harris looks for an experienced targetman to back up his three other strikers following their relegation to League One.
City joint-chairman Mark Lawn and chief operating officer James Mason can expect that interest to be followed up during the current Football League annual meeting in Portugal.
Millwall chief executive Andy Ambler has made it clear that he plans to use the summit on the Algarve to sound out clubs over certain players – and will be making a beeline for the Bantams duo.
Earlier this week, Ambler said: “I’ll be speaking with the club again when I meet up with them in Portugal.
“I think there have been complications at their end as well with the takeover and what have you.
“Ultimately, we’ve got various targets for that position. If one doesn’t come off, we’ll move to the next one and the next one.
“We’ll put our own value on each of the players and see where we get.”
Hanson finished with 11 goals last season, although five of those came in an explosive opening month before injuries affected his rhythm.
He was on target against Millwall in City's thumping 4-0 victory in their FA Cup replay at Valley Parade which set up the dream date with Chelsea.
But after scoring a first-half double at Leyton Orient in February, Hanson finished the season without a goal in his last 15 starts.
Millwall have been persistent admirers of the 27-year-old, who still has another two years left on his current contract.
Mick Harford, head of recruitment at the Den, was a towering centre forward of similar ilk during his extensive playing career and previous boss Ian Holloway was tracking Hanson last summer.
Signed by Stuart McCall from Guiseley in 2009, Hanson is seventh in City’s all-time leading scorer list with 74 goals from 268 appearances.
City may be more open to offers for Hanson if they manage to secure Jon Stead. Phil Parkinson is hoping to make progress on that front before the former Huddersfield man goes away again tomorrow.
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