'Watch this space' - Crystal Palace 'huge' January Millwall transfer swoop gathers pace

Crystal Palace have been linked with a January transfer move for talented Millwall forward Romain Esse in recent weeks and talk of a Premier League switch for the 19-year-old continues to gather pace as he impresses in the Championship.

Last week, Millwall head coach couldn't help but admit that he was 'certain' Esse would end up in the top flight in the near future. That came after comments from former Lions boss Gary Rowett praising the player, who has two goals already this season and was named in the Championship Team of the Week after his efforts against QPR on Saturday.

In recent days, transfer specialist Alan Nixon had reported that Crystal Palace had been showing a 'keen interest' in signing Esse after his recent head-turning showings for Millwall. The Eagles have a history of scouting talented young forwards with Michael Olise and Erebechi Eze starring in South London in recent seasons.

Football League World also report that Crystal Palace are 'monitoring' a transfer for Esse to follow in those footsteps with sporting director Dougie Freedman believed to have been in attendance to watch Millwall against Luton Town earlier this month.

Championship pundit Carlton Palmer also told Football League World: "Crystal Palace are the latest Premier League club to be monitoring the situation on Millwall's talented frontman Romain Esse. He's naturally a right-winger but can play anywhere across the front, he's had an excellent start to the season which is causing Premier League clubs to look at the talented 19-year-old.

"Palace have a habit of signing and developing good young players, look at Eze and Michael Olise and they buy these players, develop them and sell them on for big money.

"He's shown ability throughout his earlier [youth] career, he's a very important part of Millwall's first team squad, he's technically very good and he's a versatile player. He's very direct and pacey."

When responding to transfer rumours this month, Harris admitted that his star man has 'huge' potential but added that he wasn't worried about incoming bids for the star.

The Millwall boss said: “I don’t worry about Romain’s mentality – he’s a brilliant young man. He has been schooled well here and has had a good upbringing at home. 

“Romain just loves playing football. He wants to be on the pitch and he loves winning as well, which is important for us.

“Gary is right – there will be a lot of interest.  He’s a 19-year-old who is playing in the Championship. Romain’s focus, and he’s been told in no uncertain terms, has to be to stay in the team.

“That’s his priority focus – everything else in football will come after that. If you’re not playing regularly from the start in the Championship, then you’re never going to move up the levels. Romain has huge potential. He’s a really grounded boy with great ability. He has added to his end product this year already.

“If he carries on doing that, then Romain will certainly grace the Premier League at some stage.”