Femi Azeez transfer twist emerges as Ipswich Town launch Millwall bid | OneFootball

Millwall have reportedly rejected a fresh £20 million offer from Ipswich Town for Femi Azeez

Millwall missed out on promotion to the Premier League after defeat in the play-off semi-finals to eventual Wembley victors Hull City, and the Lions face a battle to keep hold of their star assets this summer.

It has been a truly excellent season for Millwall, who finished in 3rd, just one point behind Ipswich Town in 2nd.

The Lions and the Tractor Boys were in a hotly-contested battle for the second automatic spot after Coventry City went up as champions, but after Kieran McKenna's side brushed aside Queens Park Rangers 3-0 on the final day, it will be Portman Road that will host Premier League football next season.

Alex Neil's side went into the play-offs full of confidence, but a 2-0 defeat to Hull in the second leg at The Den resigned the Bermondsey-based outfit to yet another year in the second tier, where they will be hoping to go one better next time around.

To ensure they are in the best possible position to do so, Neil must ensure he brings in the necessary upgrades, whilst retaining their star assets, as their resolve for their star winger is set to be continually tested through the summer.

Millwall have reportedly rejected a fresh bid worth around £20 million for Femi Azeez

Millwall have had a few star performers this season, with French defender Tristan Crama impressing at both centre-back and right-back across the course of the campaign, whilst Jake Cooper continued to be a brick wall in the heart of the Lions' defence.

However, few shone brighter than Nigerian winger Femi Azeez, who, according to FootballInsider, has been the subject of a fresh bid worth around £20 million from Ipswich, which has since been rejected.

Azeez, 24, recently switched allegiance from England to Nigeria, and scored twice on his debut for the Super Eagles in a 2-0 victory over Zimbabwe, after a stellar campaign with Millwall, where he netted 11 and assisted eight in 35 Championship appearances.

Best off the right where he can cut in on his left foot, Ipswich had previously tested Millwall's resolve late in the January window with a deal that would have seen Azeez become their record sale, but the Lions rejected their advances.

Alan Nixon had previously reported that the Tractor Boys were hoping to bring the Nigerian international to Suffolk for a fee between £15-20 million, but with their most recent bid having been turned down, FootballInsider suggest that the Lions are looking for closer to £30 million for their star player.

East Anglian Daily Times reporter Stuart Robson had previously stated that a deal for Azeez was not on the cards as recently as last week, but Ipswich's tune seems to have changed since then.

Under contract at The Den until the summer of 2028, Millwall are firmly in the driving seat when it comes to demanding a fee for Azeez, and if Ipswich indeed want to bring him to Suffolk this summer, then they must stump up upwards of £30 million for his services.

Whether McKenna's side will be willing to meet those demands, at this stage, remains to be seen, as this saga could well rumble on over the coming weeks and months, and certainly one to keep an eye on.

Alex Neil must stand firm as Ipswich Town and Kieran McKenna continue to press

Indeed, few people will be less keen to see Azeez depart Millwall this summer than manager Neil.

The Scot was able to hang his hat on the winger through a large portion of the season, relying on Azeez to come up with a moment of brilliance when they most needed it, which he more often than not delivered on.

Millwall will view Azeez as irreplaceable, and given there is no reason to be in a rush to sell him, the Lions must stand firm in their stance on the winger and wait and see if Ipswich match their valuation of the 24-year-old.

Ipswich's long-term interest in the winger is set to rage on into the summer, and whether the newly-promoted side will be able to strike a deal for the Millwall star is up in the air.