Millwall must complete Brighton deal if Hull City finalise Femi Azeez raid | OneFootball

With Femi Azeez wanted by Hull City, Millwall should prepare a move for Brighton and Hove Albion's Amario Cozier-Duberry instead

Millwall will be aiming for another play-off spot at a minimum next campaign after just missing out on promotion last time around, though they may be forced to make do without one of their stars.

Millwall have been active in the transfer window this summer, bringing in eight fresh faces at The Den ahead of another year in the Championship, where their supporters will be expecting them to be in and around the top eight positions.

The Lions, under Alex Neil, fell just short of automatic promotion last time around to Ipswich Town, finishing one point beneath the Tractor Boys, as the Scottish head coach looks to utilise this transfer window to ensure a similar fate doesn't await them this season.

The likes of Jenson Metcalfe, Tairyk Arconte, Mathis Servais, Mark Sykes, Elkan Baggott, Danny Batth, Kyrell Lisbie, and Lyndon Dykes have arrived in South Bermondsey so far, and whilst no notable stars have left the club yet, Hull City are plotting a move for Nigerian winger Femi Azeez.

Neil will be as keen as anyone to retain his best players beyond the summer, with Azeez no exception, though a contingency plan in case of his exit should be in place, as a move for a Brighton and Hove Albion winger ought to be on the cards.

Action images

Azeez, 25, scored 11 and grabbed seven assists in 35 league games for Millwall last campaign, earning a place in the Championship Team of the Season alongside his teammate, Crama.

The Nigerian was, by all accounts, Millwall's star attacker last year, outshining the likes of Mihailo Ivanovic, Josh Coburn, and Camiel Neghli, and now, a move to the Premier League with Hull could be on the cards.

The Lions rejected a club-record bid for Azeez back in January from Ipswich Town, with interest from the top-flight resurfacing in the form of Hull, as Brighton winger Amario Cozier-Duberry should be targeted just in case.

Both are best off the right where they can cut in on their left; Cozier-Duberry looks likely to leave the Seagulls this summer, and Millwall should be monitoring his situation closely.

Amario Cozier-Duberry shone on loan with Bolton Wanderers last season

Action images

Cozier-Duberry, 21, scored eight and assisted 10 in 34 League One games on loan at Bolton Wanderers last season, playing a key role in the Trotters' return to the Championship after seven years away.

A product of the Arsenal youth system, the England youth international joined Brighton in 2024, making just one senior appearance on the South Coast, spending a brief spell on loan with Blackburn Rovers in the second tier to little success, before shining in Greater Manchester last season.

Only injury prevented Cozier-Duberry from reaching double digits in both goals and assists, and now, his situation is being closely analysed by Brighton, who will have a decision to make on his future sooner rather than later.

A £5 million bid from Anderlecht has already been rejected this summer, whilst Scottish giants Rangers have also held an interest in the winger, so Millwall should be on high alert to his situation just in case.

Why Amario Cozier-Duberry would be an ideal replacement in case of Femi Azeez's exit

Action images

Should Azeez indeed seal a move to Hull, Cozier-Duberry would be an excellent replacement for the 24-year-old at The Den.

The Brighton forward is three years younger than Azeez, and both put up similar numbers in League One during their only year in the third tier, with the Millwall winger having notched 17 goal contributions in 46 league games for Reading in the 2023/24 campaign.

Having taken a year to adapt to the second tier, Azeez took the league by storm last time around, and with Cozier-Duberry already having Championship experience under his belt, his adaptation period ought to be short.

Millwall, by all accounts, will be hoping to retain their star winger beyond this summer, but should Hull meet their valuation, Cozier-Duberry would be a brilliant fit.

Alex Neil must plot more attacking reinforcements regardless of Femi Azeez's departure

Action images

With Arconte, Sykes, and Dykes giving Neil some extra options in attack, there remain one or two holes in the final third that could do with some addressing before the deadline.

Lisbie will provide another option off the left, whilst Sykes will provide backup to Azeez on the right, whilst also capable of playing off the left, too.

Millwall are in a good place, but one more versatile forward, regardless of Azeez's departure or not, ought to be on the cards.

Cozier-Duberry would be an excellent fit at The Den in the event of the Nigerian's exit, as Neil mustn't rest on his laurels just yet, ahead of another year scrapping towards the top of the Championship table.