Millwall can complete Femi Azeez trick with Barnsley assist king | OneFootball

Millwall should look to sign Barnsley's Reyes Cleary this summer to follow in Femi Azeez's footsteps

Millwall's season ultimately ended in heartbreak, but the Lions have every reason to fancy their chances once again next season under Alex Neil, and ought to look to complete a similar transfer trick which has proven to have worked a treat.

Heading into the final day of the 2025/26 campaign, Millwall stood a chance of automatic promotion, but needed a favourable result in Ipswich Town's clash against Queens Park Rangers at Portman Road.

The Tractor Boys prevailed, securing their immediate return to the Premier League and subsequently sending the Lions to the play-offs, where they would face Hull City in a two-legged affair.

The Tigers would ultimately maul the Lions, as Millwall fell to a 2-0 defeat in the second leg, confirming their place in the second tier for another year.

Head coach Alex Neil will be keen to keep hold of the majority of his star assets over the summer window, including the likes of Mihailo Ivanovic, Tristan Crama, and Femi Azeez, the latter of whom has been the subject of multiple rejected bids from Ipswich in excess of £20 million.

Azeez, 25, scored 11 and grabbed eight assists in 35 league games for Millwall this season following his £1 million move from League One Reading back in the summer of 2024, and Neil should look to complete his front line by delving into the third tier once again this summer.

Millwall should try to sign Barnsley's Reyes Cleary this summer to complete their attack

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Millwall's recruitment strategy over recent years has been truly impeccable, and that has been reflected on the pitch and their steady rise up the second-tier table.

The likes of Romain Esse, Japhet Tanganga, and Zian Flemming have collected the biggest fees the club has ever received in their history in just the past few years, and with the likes of Ivanovic, Crama, and Azeez in their ranks, it would be no surprise to see them add all three to that growing list sooner rather than later.

Azeez, in particular, has been a truly inspired addition, enjoying an excellent year in which he was named in the Championship Team of the Season, and Millwall should be looking to complete a similar trick by completing a deal for Barnsley's Reyes Cleary.

Cleary, 22, has himself just enjoyed a breakthrough year in the third tier with the Tykes, having made the move to Oakwell on a free transfer last summer from West Bromwich Albion, scoring seven and grabbing 13 assists from the left flank in his first full campaign of first-team football in his career.

The England youth international came through the ranks of the Baggies, making just seven first-team appearances for the club, and spending time out on loan with the likes of Walsall and Hartlepool Town before joining Barnsley.

Best off the left, where he can cut in on his right, Cleary would complement Azeez on the opposing flank at The Den, and although the Barnsley forward will likely cost a bit more than what Millwall paid for the former Reading man, there is every indication that he would be worth it.

Division rivals Sheffield United have had a long-term link with Cleary following his performances in League One, whilst Derby have also been touted with a move for the 22-year-old this summer, with competition for his signature set to be high.

With Thierno Ballo's loan from Wolfsberger confirmed not to be made into a permanent deal, there is a gap on the left flank that needs to be filled, and Cleary would be a perfect fit.

With Azeez off the right, Camiel Neghli at the number ten position, Cleary off the left, and either Josh Coburn or Ivanovic up top, Millwall will have one of the most exciting attacking lines in the division, and should be exacting their Premier League ambition in the transfer market with the addition of the Barnsley forward.

Alex Neil must exact Millwall's Premier League intent in the transfer market this summer and must consider Reyes Cleary swoop

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Having missed out on a place in the Premier League by just a single point in the regular campaign, before falling to Hull in the play-offs, Millwall have proven they are more than capable of earning promotion to the Premier League.

Whilst the likes of Azeez and Crama will attract interest this summer, the Lions cannot afford to weaken and must instead have every intent of strengthening and ironing out areas of weakness.

Cleary's addition would take their attack to the next level, and with Azeez on the other flank, their wide attacking options will almost certainly be second to none next campaign.

Neil will be targeting the Premier League with the Lions, but he must first target Cleary to boost those ambitions.