SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown is to hold talks with midfielder Ryan Leonard during the Shrimpers' week long stay in Spain.

Sheffield United and Millwall have both had bids rejected for the 25-year-old this summer and Leonard is keen to be given the opportunity to perform at a higher level.

However, Leonard - who has been Blues' player of the year in the past two seasons - still has 12 months left on his contract at Roots Hall.

And Brown will be doing all he can to keep the midfielder settled amid the ongoing transfer speculation.

"I’ll have a good, long chat with Lenny when we're in Spain," said the Shrimpers boss.

"I will be putting something his way which will be a fairly hefty commitment from the football club.

"We want to keep him but he’s definitely here for another year.

"With a bit of luck he may consider the new deal but if he doesn’t then we’ll just have to get the best out of him for the next year. "

Blues chairman Ron Martin has also spoken of his desire to keep hold of Leonard and has chosen to reject all offers for the midfielder.

Sheffield United's bid of £350,000 is understood to have been the biggest made so far.

Leonard joined Blues in the summer of 2011 and has made 236 appearances for the club.