Millwall tonight reluctantly gave Steven Reid permission to talk to Blackburn Rovers, after the Premiership side upped their initial bid for the Republic of Ireland winger.
However Reid insists he will take his time before deciding whether to join Blackburn.
Blackburn boss Graeme Souness has been handed a transfer kitty following the departures of David Dunn to Birmingham and yesterday's stg£17million sale of Damien Duff to Chelsea, and will now try to persuade the 22-year-old that his future lies at Ewood Park.
"This is a good opportunity for me to go and talk to them and see what they have to say," reflected Reid on Millwall's official website, www.millwallfc.co.uk.
"There has been a lot of speculation, but something's happened and now I'm either staying at Millwall or I'm not."
He added: "I've been at Millwall for 11 years and it's a long time.
"I've never really been away from London for more than a month or so, so it would be a big upheaval if I was to go and it's going to be the most difficult decision of my life.
"The chairman and manager have made it clear that they don't want me to go, so there's no pressure on me to leave the club.
"It's a decision I'm going to think long and hard about and hopefully make the right one."
Reid is a product of the Lion's youth programme and made his senior debut against Bournemouth in May 1998 when he was 17.
Mick McCarthy called him into the World Cup squad last summer, where Reid - who can play on either wing or at full-back - featured in the group matches against Cameroon and Germany.
However, he missed the start of the 2002-2003 season with an ankle problem and then suffered a knee injury in April which ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.
Reid returned to play for Ireland in the Euro 2004 qualifier against Albania at Lansdowne Road in June, and Millwall are in no hurry to let one of their prized assets leave the New Den.
"We have always been upfront with Steven and told him that we would keep him informed of any serious approach from a Premiership club," said chairman Theo Paphitis.
"Blackburn have made an improved offer and Steven has been given our permission to talk to them.
"This has been done reluctantly, but having given our word to him, we are honour-bound to keep it.
"Obviously we don't want Reidy to leave, but the decision is now up to him and his advisors."