Development emerges in Romain Esse's switch from Millwall to Crystal Palace | OneFootball

Millwall star Romain Esse is set to join Crystal Palace in a £14.5m move

Millwall star Romain Esse is set to have a medical at Crystal Palace on Friday, ahead of making a £14.5m move to the Premier League club.

That's according to Alan Nixon, who reports that the 19-year-old has already sorted out a contract with the Eagles, while other potential financial issues have also been ironed out.

Millwall talent Esse set for Crystal Palace move

As per Nixon's report, the Eagles successfully saw off late interest from other parties in Esse's services, and have secured his signature despite originally seeing him as a signing for next season.

Oliver Glasner's side initially scouted the Lions winger back in September, and will now look to keep him in their squad, rather than loaning him back.

The talented Millwall academy graduate made his Lions debut off the bench during the 2022/23 Championship campaign, and would go on to make 12 substitute appearances that season.

He would have to wait until the next term to make his full debut though, and was handed six starting 11 appearances as he made a total of 25 second tier outings last season, scoring two goals in the process.

But this campaign, Esse has hit new heights, and has established himself as one of the best young talents in the Championship, notching four goals and one assist in 25 league appearances and 24 starts.

His most recent Lions goal came on Boxing Day, when he scored during his side's 2-1 defeat at Norwich City, proving his ability to perform well, even when his team aren't.

That tendency to produce the goods even when his team are struggling could prove useful for a Palace side who sit 15th in the Premier League table, having won just five of their 21 top-flight fixtures this term, albeit they are currently enjoying a four-game unbeaten streak which has included two wins.

Meanwhile, earlier in the season, when the Lions were one of the most in-form sides in the Championship, Esse was at the heart of all things positive for them, and scored during a 3-1 win over Preston North End back in September, as well as scoring the only goal of the game when the London club defeated Plymouth Argyle 1-0 in October.

Given that Esse has been one of the Lions' best players this term at just 19-years-old, it is no surprise that he is joining Premier League Palace, who have been scouting him since September.

Esse will be a big loss for Millwall

While the Eagles have got their hands on a winger who could prove to be a real asset for them, the Lions have lost a top talent whose exit could damage their chances of enjoying a comfortable end to the Championship campaign.

Currently, Alex Neil's side sit 14th in the second tier table, but are just seven points clear of the relegation zone, so they cannot afford to endure a poor run of form, especially given the fact that each of their next three fixtures come against sides who currently sit in the bottom five, as they take on Hull City, Cardiff City, Luton Town and Portsmouth.

With such crucial matches on the horizon, the joint-lowest scorers in the Championship could have done without losing the services of their second top scorer.

However, the £14.5m transfer fee they are set to receive from Palace will give the club an opportunity to invest in the squad just weeks after Neil's appointment to the managerial helm.