Millwall boss Alex Neil has lifted the lid on the club’s decision to reject a record-breaking bid from Ipswich Town for winger Femi Azeez, insisting the call was driven by footballing priorities rather than finances. Despite the scale of the offer, which would have shattered Millwall’s previous transfer record, the Lions opted to keep hold of one of their most influential attacking players as they push towards their long-term ambitions.
Ipswich Town, riding the momentum of their impressive rise under Kieran McKenna, identified Azeez as a key target during the transfer window. The 23-year-old’s pace, directness and ability to stretch defences made him an attractive option for a side looking to add depth and dynamism out wide. Talks progressed quickly, with Ipswich prepared to spend heavily to land their man, but Millwall stood firm.
Speaking about the decision, Neil stressed that timing was everything. While acknowledging the size of the offer, he explained that losing Azeez mid-season would have left a significant hole in the squad. “Femi is not just another player for us,” Neil said. “He gives us something different, and when you’re trying to build consistency and momentum, taking that out of the team is a massive risk.”
Neil also pointed to the lack of suitable replacements available during the window. Even with a record fee on the table, Millwall were unconvinced they could adequately reinvest the money without weakening the squad in the short term. “You can have all the money in the world, but if the right players aren’t available, it doesn’t help you,” he added. “We weren’t prepared to sell unless we felt we could come out stronger, not weaker.”
Azeez’s importance to Millwall has been underlined by his development over the past 18 months. Once seen as a promising but inconsistent talent, he has matured into a reliable attacking outlet, contributing goals, assists and relentless energy. His performances have often been the spark in tight games, and Neil has leaned heavily on his work rate both on and off the ball.
There was also a broader message in Millwall’s stance. Rejecting such a high-profile bid signalled the club’s intent to move away from being perceived as a selling side. Neil has repeatedly spoken about building a core group capable of pushing the club forward, rather than constantly reshaping the squad. Keeping Azeez, despite strong interest, fits that vision.
For Ipswich, the rejection was a setback, but not an unexpected one. McKenna’s side have shown ambition in the market, and the willingness to make a record offer underlined how highly they rated Azeez. However, Millwall’s resolve highlighted the growing challenge Ipswich face when targeting players who are central to their clubs’ plans.
As for Azeez himself, the winger remained professional throughout the process. Neil praised his attitude, noting that the player continued to train and perform at a high level despite the speculation. “That tells you a lot about his character,” the Millwall boss said. “He understands what we’re trying to build here.”
In the end, Millwall’s decision was about control and belief. By turning down Ipswich Town’s record-breaking bid, Alex Neil made it clear that progress, stability and ambition outweighed the temptation of a lucrative transfer fee.
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