"Significant money" - Millwall: Alex Neil addresses Romain Esse, Crystal Palace situation | OneFootball

Romain Esse has been linked with a move from Millwall to Crystal Palace this January

Alex Neil has opened up on the situation surrounding Romain Esse’s Millwall future amid interest from Crystal Palace.

According to the BBC, the Eagles are among the clubs chasing the signature of the 19-year-old this January.

It has been claimed that the Millwall forward has a release clause in his contract, which he renewed last summer.

Esse has been a key figure for the Lions so far this season, contributing four goals and one assist from 24 appearances in the Championship.

Alex Neil provides Romain Esse update

Neil has confirmed that there is interest from Crystal Palace, and that any deal is likely to earn the second tier side significant money.

Despite the potential exit, he has highlighted the importance of the new deal that Esse signed last year as a key reason why the club will be able to command such a big fee for him now.

“There is interest from Crystal Palace,” said Neil, via London News Online.

“It has been well-documented. How far down the line that is, I’m not too quite sure.

“But I think people need to recognise how well we as a club have done by securing Romain on a new contract, which took, by all accounts, a lot of convincing to stay – because he wanted to play football.

“He is now playing football and has certainly been one of our best performers this season.

“We don’t want to lose our best players but everyone understands the contract situation surrounding Romain.

“If he does move he will move for significant money which from the club perspective has been brilliant business considering we could’ve lost him in the summer for free.

“I don’t know when and if because I am not involved in that sort of negotiation side of things, but there certainly has been interest – as there will be if you have good players.”

Millwall are currently 14th in the Championship table after 25 games played.

Big fee for Romain Esse is good business for Millwall

While it is a blow for Millwall to be losing one of their most exciting young prospects, that is just the nature of the game at the moment.

Palace have earned a reputation for scouring the Championship and signing the best emerging talent as part of their recruitment strategy.

That they were able to renew Esse’s contract last year and ensure they will get a big fee for him now is a sign of the club’s strong structure.

We have seen the likes of Coventry City lose key players for nothing in recent years, which has hurt them, so it’s a big positive that this situation hasn’t come back to bite the London club.