Exclusive: Millwall in talks for big Crystal Palace transfer return amid Femi Azeez blow | OneFootball

Millwall have entered talks over the return of Crystal Palace winger Romain Esse as Femi Azeez's exit beckons, Football League World understands

Millwall are poised to undertake a busy deadline day of activity in terms of both incomings and outgoings, and with Femi Azeez's proposed departure from South East London only intensifying before the window slams shut at 11pm tonight, Football League World can exclusively reveal that the Lions are pursuing the return of Romain Esse from Crystal Palace.

Alex Neil's side's aspirations of competing for a second shot at promotion to the Premier League following last term's play-off semi-final defeat to Hull City have been threatened by increasing speculation surrounding the future of star forward Azeez, who now appears primed to depart The Den in the coming hours following fresh developments.

However, the natural blow of Azeez's likely exit could just be softened as Millwall enter talks to bring a familiar face back to the club in the form of Esse ahead of this evening's crunch deadline.

Millwall eyeing Crystal Palace, Romain Esse loan transfer return

With Azeez edging closer to departing Millwall before the clock runs down, Football League World has learned that the Championship promotion hopefuls are actively scouring for replacements and have settled on the potential return of Esse from Selhurst Park.

Sources have disclosed that Millwall have now entered talks in an effort to reunite with Esse amid Azeez's ongoing exit saga, and FLW understands that any potential deal would be on a loan basis for the remainder of the 2026/27 campaign.

This comes after recent reports linked Championship rivals Wrexham with a move for the 21-year-old's signature, although a switch to North Wales now feels unlikely as Phil Parkinson's side close in on the capture of Callum O'Hare from Sheffield United.

Earlier this month, meanwhile, the Eagles reportedly rejected an offer made by Belgian outfit Club Brugge and Millwall will be hoping that Pierre Sage's outfit are willing to sanction a loan exit that would see the talented wide-man return to the Lions a year-and-a-half on from his move across South London.

Esse rose through Millwall's ranks to emerge as one of the hottest young properties in the Championship and would score seven goals from 66 appearances before Palace captured his services for a reported initial £12 million figure in January of last year.

The winger has featured for the Eagles on just 17 occasions, though, and struggled for regular minutes under previous manager Oliver Glasner while spending the second-half of the previous campaign back on loan in the Championship with 2025/26 title-winners Coventry City.

Romain Esse could replace Femi Azeez at Millwall before 11pm tonight

Millwall's advancing pursuit of a reunion with Esse only amplifies the likelihood of Azeez's departure, which has been heavily speculated in recent times as the starlet prepares to leave the Lions after two years.

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Azeez, who lit up the second-tier last season with 11 goals and seven assists to fire Millwall into promotion contention, is of strong interest to Brighton and Hove Albion, with the two-cap Nigerian international reportedly "desperate" to leave for the Premier League side.

Indeed, the Seagulls have lodged a series of offers for Azeez's signature - the latest of which is said to have exceeded the £12 million mark - although reports have indicated that Millwall are only willing to sanction his departure on the condition that the club's £15 million asking price is met.

Brighton, though, would perhaps encounter no problems with matching that demand if they are intent on making a deal happen, with the likely reality of Azeez playing his football at top-flight level after tonight's deadline forcing Millwall into action.

The Lions are separately set to complete the €2.5 million (£2.1 million) signing of 19-year-old Montpellier winger Yanis Issoufou, although the former French youth international plays on the opposite flank to Azeez and, considering his age profile and lack of experience, is hardly set to represent a direct replacement for the wantaway winger.