Premier League club rejects Millwall bid for 'Phil Foden-eqsue' Bristol City and Swansea City target

Wolves are reported to have rejected a bid from Millwall for attacking midfielder Luke Cundle as the Lions look to find a replacement for star man Romain Esse.

Crystal Palace snapped up Esse from The Den for £12 million this month after long reported transfer interest. The winger looks to follow in the footsteps of Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton in making the step up from the EFL to the Premier League at Selhurst Park.

Speaking about finding a replacement for the first team regular, Millwall boss Alex Neil said: "I think we’d certainly be looking to replace Romain. I think we spoke about Aaron Connolly being a replacement for Bradshaw, which I think is a fair comment, but we certainly need to replace Romain.

“Unfortunately we’re not going to be able to replace a like for like naturally, hence the reason why we’re moving Romain potentially to the Premier League for a lot of money. But we’ll do our very best to try and find the best fit, the best quality that we can find to try and bring them.”

Wolves reject Millwall bid

It now appears as if Millwall may have locked in on a target. Wolves midfielder Cundle has been a fringe part of the squad this season and could be viewed as a feasible acquisition this month by the London outfit.

Cundle has spent loan spells at Swansea City, Plymouth Argyle and Stoke City since 2022. The Express and Star reports that Millwall have sent a 'first bid' to Molineux but that the offer has been rejected.

Reporter Liam Kean took to social media platform X on Thursday and wrote: "Wolves have rejected an opening bid from Millwall for midfielder Luke Cundle.

“As previously reported, Millwall, Bristol City and Swansea among Championship clubs keen on him. A move away from Wolves is still likely this month."

Cundle is a product of the Wolves academy but has only made seven first team appearances for the side. He has been on the bench for three Premier League fixtures this season but not handed any minutes.

Bristol City and Swansea City also eye Wolves midfielder

The 22-year-old made his first team debut for Wolves in a Carabao Cup clash against Reading in 2019 and his Premier League debut came in January 2022. When rising through the Wolves academy, the midfielder was compared to Manchester City and England star Phil Foden.

Speaking in 2022 following a win against Newcastle United,  Wolverhampton Wanderers U23's coach Jamie Collins said: "We took a little risk with the change of shape and the 'false nine' with no centre-forward. We played Luke (Cundle) up there, 'Phil Foden-esque', and I thought he played really well."

Cundle was also praised by former Wolves boss Bruno Lage when making his first steps in the top flight. Having played 84 minutes in a 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in 2022, Large said: "Maybe Luke can be a key man because it allows us to play with four midfielders.

"It was the way we play here and with the kid from the academy. He is just 19 and I am very happy with him. The most important thing is the confidence he gives to us. He was there against top players playing like he is in the playground."