Millwall hold talks over Romain Esse return from Crystal Palace

Millwall have opened discussions with Crystal Palace over a potential deal to bring former winger Romain Esse back to The Den.

The Championship club’s interest has emerged after they reached an agreement to sell Femi Azeez to Brighton & Hove Albion, creating a vacancy in their attacking options that they could look to fill with a familiar face.

According to the BBC, Crystal Palace no longer consider Esse part of their plans for the future, raising the possibility of the 21-year-old returning to the club where he made his breakthrough.

Esse left Millwall in January 2025 when Palace secured his services in a deal that could eventually be worth as much as £14.5 million. However, his spell in the Premier League has failed to develop as expected.

During his time at Selhurst Park, Esse made 17 appearances in all competitions before spending a period on loan at Coventry City. He featured 18 times for the Sky Blues and played a role in their promotion campaign to the Premier League.

With Palace now prepared to move the winger on, Millwall have emerged as a potential destination.

Why could Esse return to Millwall?

Palace were expected to receive interest in Esse during the summer, with several clubs reportedly considering a move for the young attacker.

Club Brugge were among the strongest suitors and had reportedly made significant progress towards a permanent transfer. However, negotiations eventually broke down, leaving Esse still at Crystal Palace as the transfer window approached its conclusion.

Millwall have now entered the picture and are exploring the possibility of bringing their former player back to south London.

It remains unclear whether the proposed deal would be a loan or a permanent transfer. The timing of Millwall’s interest is closely linked to Azeez’s impending move to Brighton, with Esse viewed as a possible replacement for the departing winger.

For Millwall, a reunion could offer both sides an opportunity. The club would be bringing in a player who already understands their system and surroundings, while Esse could potentially rebuild his confidence and rediscover the form that earned him his move to Palace in the first place.

Any transfer will still depend on the final negotiations, formal paperwork and a medical, but talks have given Millwall hope of completing a notable reunion before the window closes.