Millwall FC: Alex Neil reveals update on Romain Esse to Crystal Palace situation | OneFootball

Esse's move to Selhurst Park is progressing, according to Millwall boss Neil, who left him out of his side's FA Cup squad.

Millwall boss Alex Neil has confirmed that Romain Esse's move to Crystal Palace is now "progressing".

He spoke to News Shopper after the Lions' FA Cup clash against Dagenham and Redbridge on Monday evening - and confirmed the latest on the winger's situation.

The Championship side fielded a fairly strong starting lineup against the National League outfit and that aroused suspicions about Esse's whereabouts.

He hasn't been short of Premier League interest this month, with AFC Bournemouth, Brighton and Hove Albion, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest all interested in a move for him, according to a recent report from the South London Press.

But Palace, who have richly benefitted from recruiting from the EFL market before, have been the side most heavily linked with a switch for the 19-year-old.

According to Alan Nixon and other outlets, the Eagles have also been in the mix for Middlesbrough loanee Ben Doak.

But with Oliver Glasner's side struggling to get a move over the line for the Scotland international, they have turned to the impressive Esse, and are set to secure a £14.5m deal for the Millwall man.

Alex Neil on Romain Esse's links to Crystal Palace

Amid major interest from Palace, many of the Lions' fans were fearing that his links to the Premier League side played a part in his absence against Dagenham.

And they turned out to be right, with Neil telling News Shopper: "There was not an issue (with Esse).

"Crystal Palace have shown a lot of interest. I didn't make him available for the game. That situation is progressing, and I didn't want to put it at risk at this stage."

Millwall made the right call to leave out Romain Esse

Esse looks to be open to a move to Palace if the move is progressing.

And if his head has been turned, he shouldn't have been involved against Dagenham, so Neil probably made the right call to leave him out.

An injury could have also jeopardised this deal and the Lions may have missed out on £14.5m if he had played and picked up a big knock.

It's a shame that he's leaving - because he will only get better and the Lions clearly won't see the best of him.

But with the money they will receive from this sale, they will be able to recruit a good replacement and address other areas of their squad.