Millwall should test Crystal Palace's Romain Esse stance ahead of 7pm on Monday | OneFootball

Millwall should target the return of Romain Esse from Crystal Palace before the close of the transfer window.

As they approach the transfer deadline, Millwall will be in a frantic state, like many EFL clubs, as they search for incomings and perhaps fend off outgoings.

One player who they should look at is actually a former young star of theirs in Romain Esse.

Millwall have started the 2025/26 Championship season steadily as they seek another tilt at the top six and the play-off places this season, under the management of Alex Neil.

The former Stoke City and Sunderland boss, who gained promotion from this division with Norwich City a decade ago, did an excellent job at The Den last year, following his appointment mid-way through the campaign.

Millwall eventually missed out on the top six on the final day with a 3-1 loss at runners-up Burnley, but the Lions have recruited well this summer and will believe they can bring top-flight football to Bermondsey.

As they seek to sprinkle a bit of magic dust at the top end of the pitch, one player they should be lining up a move for is Crystal Palace attacker Esse.

Millwall should target Romain Esse situation at Crystal Palace

In January, Millwall sold young attacker Romain Esse to south London rivals Crystal Palace for a fee believed to be in the region of £12 million.

Esse has had a tough start to his career in Croydon, with suggestions that Oliver Glasner has been unhappy with him when on the pitch, as best shown by being a substituted substitute on the final day of the season against Liverpool.

With Palace now in the UEFA Europa Conference League this season, there will be an expectation that a deeper squad is required and Esse is therefore set for extra game time, especially following the sale of Eberechi Eze to Arsenal.

However, Esse has barely featured at the start of this season, with Justin Devenny the youngster getting the most minutes for Glasner, and Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is also still at the club, despite previous interest from Rangers.

As well as that, Palace have now completed the signing of Spain international winger Yeremy Pino to play in the two wider or attacking midfield roles in the 3-4-2-1 system that won the Eagles the FA Cup.

There are also links to both Raheem Sterling and Reiss Nelson, with Esse seemingly set to fall even further down the pecking order, and surely pushed towards a loan move.

If a loan deal was to be sanctioned, then Millwall should position themselves right at the front of the queue, knowing he could prove to be the point of difference in their push for promotion this season.

There were only four goals and one assist in a Millwall shirt last season before his switch to Palace, but the talent is all there and putting him in a functioning Neil system could really make sure the Lions don't miss out on the top six again.

Romain Esse could become Millwall’s marquee attacker

In the second-half of the season, Serbian striker Mihailo Ivanovic made his mark at The Den, and has since become one of the most sought-after attackers in the EFL.

Leicester City are now credited with an interest in the former Vojvodina striker, after he hit 12 goals in 38 appearances in his first season in England last year.

If Ivanovic was to depart The Den, then Esse, albeit a completely different type of attacker as a tricky wide man rather than a talismanic striker, could re-establish himself as Millwall’s marquee figurehead at the top end of the pitch.

Even better for Millwall, if Ivanovic was to stay, then Esse could come in and compliment their now growing array of attacking options, such as Femi Azeez and Camiel Neghli.

The floor of Millwall has been established, and they look set to be a very strong team that are difficult to beat, and they do have a bit of magic in the likes of Azeez and Neghli. Esse, though, would raise the ceiling significantly, with or without the sale of Ivanovic, and he is someone who Millwall should pounce upon if the opportunity arises.

The fact he's played for the club before and wouldn't have to completely relocate are further ticks in the box of a return to Millwall.

It's ambitious, yes, but Esse's situation at Palace is hardly ideal and a return to Millwall and the Championship on a short-term basis could be exactly what's needed to take that next step.