Crystal Palace in talks to sign Millwall star Romain Esse

Crystal Palace are in talks to sign Millwall star Romain Esse.

Standard Sport understands the Eagles are exploring a buy-to-loan deal which would see the 19-year-old join in January spending the remainder of the season with Millwall.

Dougie Freedman, the Palace sporting director, is an admirer of the England Under-20 international and watched from the stands on a scouting mission as Esse scored the winner against Plymouth Argyle on October 23.

The attacking midfielder, an academy graduate, has four goals and one assist in 19 matches in all competitions so far this term.

Palace face competition for Esse, who has a sizeable release clause, but are growing in confidence the teenager will be convinced to make the short switch to Selhurst Park.

Palace have had success signing players from the Championship in the past, luring Eberechi Eze from QPR 2020 before signing Michael Olise from Reading a year later.

The club are gearing up for what could be a busy January transfer window, with the left side of defence also an area which they hope to strengthen along with attacking positions.

Palace earned their second win of the Premier League campaign on Tuesday night when they beat Ipswich Town 1-0 at Portman Road. They sit 17th in the table, three points and one place above Ipswich.