Crystal Palace pushing to sign Millwall star Romain Esse | OneFootball

The Eagles are understood to be stepping up their interest in Millwall's talented young winger.

Crystal Palace are understood to be stepping up their interest in Millwall winger Romain Esse.

That's according to journalist Alan Nixon reporting via Patreon on Sunday, in what would be a huge blow for the Lions.

Esse, an England youth international, has progressed through Millwall's academy system and into the first-team picture over the last few years, and has been starring for Neil Harris's side so far this season.

At just 19, the winger has been quickly establishing himself as one of the EFL's most talented young prospects, and was rewarded with a new long-term contract extension in August.

Penning Esse to a new deal doesn't appear to have put Crystal Palace off from pursuing a deal for the Millwall man, according to Nixon.

Reporting via his Patreon on Sunday, the journalist revealed that the Eagles are stepping up their interest in the teenager.

Nixon also states that Crystal Palace's sporting director, Dougie Freedman, was in attendance to personally cast his eye over Esse last week, in what is another sign of intent from the Eagles.

Due to the nature of Esse's performances, Nixon reports that Palace may shift their focus from having him as a long-term target, to an immediate one when the January transfer window opens.

Esse made his Millwall debut on Boxing Day 2022, and would go on to make 13 appearances in all competitions during his breakthrough 2022/23 campaign at The Den.

His role in the first-team side would only continue to expand come the 2023/24 season, in which he would make 25 Championship appearances, scoring twice.

However, 2024/25 looks set to be Esse's best yet, and perhaps the one where he really announces himself as one of the biggest emerging talents in the football league.

Esse could be next EFL starlet to shine at Selhurst Park

If there has been one particular Premier League club that has enjoyed the riches of shopping for the Championship's finest young talents in recent times, it's Crystal Palace.

Adam Wharton, Michael Olise and Ebere Eze are some of the biggest Selhurst Park success stories when it comes to the Eagles and their recruitment of the second tier starlets.

All three of those names are now firmly on the path to long and highly successful careers, and Palace could well view Esse as their next project acquisition.

The teenage sensation has been running defenders ragged all season long so far, and has been one of the best right-wingers in the division through the early stages of the campaign.

Speed, skill, flair, strength, a creative instinct and an eye for goal, Esse appears to have all the ingredients to follow in the footsteps of those aforementioned players who've made the jump from the Championship to the Premier League.

Indeed, as of the conclusion of Millwall's matchday 12 game against Swansea City, no second tier right-winger has won more fouls than Esse's 31, whilst also leading his positional peers in duels won (93) - per FotMob.