Millwall and Sheffield United are still chasing Southend star Ryan Leonard.

Shrimpers chairman Ron Martin has said he is not for sale, and rejected a £500,000 bid from the Blades on Friday.

It prompted Leonard to hand in a transfer request, which he withdrew just days later.

However, the midfielder, who is in the final year of his contract, is still keen to leave Roots Hall and make the step up to the Championship.

Leonard, 25, has been voted Southend’s Player of the Year in three of the last four seasons since joining from Plymouth in 2011.

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Southend boss Phil Brown is also desperate to keep his star man as he looks to mount a promotion push this season.

But with Leonard wanting out and Millwall and Sheffield United prepared to offer him Championship football, a bid in excess of £500,000 could force Southend to sell.

The Lions previously failed with a bid believed to be in the region of £300,000 earlier this summer.