Crystal Palace alter Millwall transfer plan after Liverpool blow | OneFootball

With a move for Doak now looking unlikely, the Eagles are now set to swoop for another Championship ace, Romain Esse.

Premier League side Crystal Palace are hoping to seal a deal for Millwall winger Romain Esse after failing to land Liverpool loan star Ben Doak.

That is according to Alan Nixon, who believes the Eagles are now focused on trying to get a deal over the line for the Lions' star, after seeing him impress during the first half of the 2024/25 campaign.

Palace have recruited quite a few EFL stars in the past - and have had varying levels of success with them.

Eberechi Eze has become a key player at Selhurst Park and has even appeared for England during his time with Oliver Glasner's side.

Michael Olise, despite his injury issues, was also a massive success in the English capital and did enough to earn himself a move to Bayern Munich.

Liverpool's Ben Doak, who is currently on loan at Middlesbrough, could have been their next big star, having targeted a move for him.

But according to Nixon, there is a large gap in valuation between the two sides, with Palace prepared to pay £20m but the Reds wanting £30m for one of their most promising stars.

This is promising news for Boro, who will be keen to retain Doak for the remainder of the season, having witnessed him shine at the Riverside during his stay so far.

Crystal Palace keen to seal Romain Esse

Palace haven't had much success with Malcolm Ebiowei, who has just returned from another unsuccessful loan spell.

And with Jesurun Rak-Sakyi out on loan and Olise leaving in the summer, it makes sense for Glasner's side to move for a winger.

It looks as though Esse is the man they now want, after being priced out of a move for Doak, according to Nixon.

Palace had originally planned to sign the Lions' star in the summer or recruit him now and loan him back to Alex Neil's side for the remainder of the campaign.

But that plan has now been changed after they missed out on a move for Doak.

Millwall will be keen to retain a firm stance on Romain Esse

The Lions tied the player down to a new contract earlier this season, which was a boost.

However, he has a release clause in his deal, and that could mean that the club is powerless to stop him from moving on if another side triggers that clause.

Neil's side shouldn't be looking to accept anything less than his release clause this January, considering they are in a strong negotiating position.

The player has a considerable amount of time left on his contract and it's not as if the Lions spent big in the summer, so they probably don't need to sell anyone.

It will be interesting to see what unfolds between now and the end of the window.