Shrewsbury Town 'target' Jermaine Grandison linked with a move to Millwall

Town are desperate to get the 24-year-old defender and fellow out-of-contract player Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro re-signed for the big League One kick off.

Now the Lions are being touted as lining him up days before the sides meet in the opener at the Greenhous Meadow on Saturday.

Millwall would appear to be well off for central defenders with Tony Craig and Sid Nelson, who have both captained the side, plus the experienced Mark Beevers and Byron Webster as options.

But a report claimed Lions boss Neil Harris has lined up Grandison to bolster their back line.

Grandison and Akpa Akpro were offered contracts at the end of last season but chose to explore their options.

The 6ft 4in tall player has trained every day of pre-season with Micky Mellon's squad and featured in their friendlies.

But the club have reached their budget and need to free up some wages before then can offer Grandison and Akpa Akpro anything.

So far the two senior players made available - left-back Mickey Demetriou, who has been replaced by Mat Sadler, and 31-year-old striker Scott Vernon - have rejected two-year contracts at League Two clubs.

Town are hoping to partly finance the new deals by selling Josh Ginnelly to Burnley and have turned down two offers for the 18-year-old winger from the Clarets, who would rather not go to a tribunal.

Grandison was being eyed by Championship side Birmingham City in the summer but nothing came of the speculation.