Millwall have had an indifferent 2024-25 season, with excellent runs of form often marred by disappointing patches of poor results.
This has been characterised by personal performances throughout the squad, but one player who has stood out this year is Romain Esse.
The 19-year-old winger has started all the Lions' 21 league matches and has impressed with his natural dribbling ability and chance creation for those around him.
Catching the eye of those higher up the pyramid, it is Nottingham Forest who have recently joined the race for the youngster, with Crystal Palace also said to be involved.
This is said to be in line with Forest's new recruitment strategy of finding 'hidden gems' in the EFL. But, with Palace employing the same manoeuvre, it will be no simple feat for Nuno Espírito Santo's side to tempt the winger to the East Midlands.
Carlton Palmer discusses Esse interest
Carlton Palmer playing for Sheffield Wednesday in 93/94
Speaking exclusively to FLW about the interest in Esse, Palmer revealed that he can't see Forest securing a deal for the winger with Palace currently in pole position.
"From all the reports that I have heard, Dougie Freedman (Crystal Palace's Sporting Director) has visited Millwall several times to run the rule over Romain Esse. It fits their criteria of what they're doing, and he is relatively cheap for a Premier Club at £12 million," Palmer revealed to Football League World.
"We know what Crystal Palace do. They bring in young players and then move them on for big money.
"I think Millwall are already looking for replacements, but I think the deal that was rumoured to be done with Palace is that he would be signed and loaned back to Millwall. That would free up some money for Millwall to strengthen their squad and keep the player for the remainder of the season.
"Nottingham Forest have now joined the race for him, and he is a very good player.
"We will have to wait and see what happens, but I believe it is almost done for Palace."
Romain Esse could follow in the footsteps of Eze and Olise
Eberechi Eze
The concern for Forest has to be that Palace's track record with signing players from the Championship is exemplary.
In the past few years, we have seen them snap up talent like Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton, all of whom have gone on to be successful at a higher level.
Player Crystal Palace Active Years Appearances Goals Assists Average Rating
Adam Wharton 2024-Present 26 0 3 7.04
Eberechi Eze 2020-Present 141 29 22 7.17
Michael Olise 2021-2024 90 16 25 7.30
Source: FotMob
For Millwall, the priority must be securing a deal that benefits the club. A fair transfer fee would provide strong finances to build on, but including a sell-on clause is equally important to ensure they make a heap of money if he continues his current trajectory.
In addition, if Esse does make a move to Selhurst Park, then a temporary return to the Den is a real deal sweetener, with the Lions' game-changer possibly able to influence a 2025 play-off push.
In all likelihood, it seems that the 19-year-old will make the move to Croydon then and end his ten-year tenure with Millwall.
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