Leeds, Sunderland Battle for Millwall Speedster Femi Azeez 2026

Key Points

• Leeds United and Sunderland have joined a host of Premier League clubs, including Crystal Palace, Everton, Brighton & Hove Albion, Brentford, Fulham, and Bournemouth, in tracking Millwall’s 24-year-old winger Femi Azeez amid growing summer transfer interest.
• Azeez, a London-born right winger capable of playing on both flanks, has scored 8 goals and provided 6-7 assists in 25 Championship appearances this season, earning a FotMob rating of 7.45 and February’s SkyBet Championship Player of the Month award.
• He joined Millwall from Reading in August 2024 for around £1 million (€1.1M), with his contract running until June 2028; his market value stands at €5 million according to Transfermarkt.
• Ipswich Town had a £15 million-plus bid rejected in January 2026, and sources warn of a potential bidding war with valuations now at £15-20 million.
• Millwall sit fourth in the Championship, pushing for automatic promotion under manager Alex Neil, making Azeez’s departure likely to command a hefty fee regardless of their final position.​
• Azeez previously made 89 appearances for Reading after joining in 2019, and had a stint in non-league with Wealdstone and Harwell Town following his Watford Academy days.​
• He scored a brace (both deflected) against Leeds United in last season’s FA Cup tie at Elland Road, helping Millwall advance.​
• Sources indicate Crystal Palace hold the keenest interest, but Leeds and Sunderland scouts have watched him recently as interest builds ahead of the summer window.

Leeds (The Leeds Times) March 18, 2026 – Leeds United and Sunderland AFC are locked in a transfer tussle with several Premier League rivals to secure the signature of Millwall’s pacey winger Femi Azeez, whose red-hot form has propelled him into the spotlight during the 2025/26 SkyBet Championship season. The 24-year-old has notched 8 goals and up to 7 assists in 25 outings, fuelling Millwall’s promotion charge while drawing scouts from top-flight clubs. With Azeez’s contract secure until 2028, any move is expected to trigger a bidding war exceeding £15-20 million.

Who is Femi Azeez and What Makes Him a Championship Speedster?

Femi Azeez, a London native and former Watford Academy product, has risen meteorically through the English football ranks. After dropping into non-league football with Wealdstone and Harwell Town, he joined Reading in 2019, where he made 89 appearances.​

As reported by Shane MacDermott of SportsBoom, Azeez signed for Millwall in August 2024 for a reported fee of around £1 million and has since become “this season’s standout player in the SkyBet Championship.” The pacy right winger, who can operate on both flanks, enjoyed a purple patch with six goals in seven appearances between October and November last year. His assists have proven “almost as invaluable,” contributing to Millwall’s position just two points off second place.​

Sources cited by TEAMtalk, as relayed in TransferFeed reports, highlight Azeez’s 8 goals and 7 assists in 25 Championship games, underscoring his market value now at €5 million per Transfermarkt.​

Which Clubs Are Battling for Femi Azeez’s Signature?

Leeds United and Sunderland lead the Championship interest, but Premier League heavyweights are queuing up.

According to Shane MacDermott of SportsBoom, “a host of top flight clubs, including Millwall’s London rivals Crystal Palace,” are tracking Azeez, alongside Bournemouth, whose January approach was rebuffed. Sunderland, Everton, Leeds, and Brighton are also “keeping tabs” on the ex-Reading favourite.​

TEAMtalk sources, as detailed in TransferFeed, confirm scouts from Everton, Brentford, Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham, Leeds United, and Sunderland have watched Azeez recently, with Palace’s interest “particularly keen.” Football League World warns of a “bidding war” involving Leeds United and Crystal Palace, with Millwall potentially holding out for £15-20 million.

Graeme Bailey, quoted in a Leeds All Over report, claimed Leeds United are “keeping tabs” on the Millwall winger.

What Are Femi Azeez’s Impressive Stats This Season?

Azeez’s form has been electric, earning him February’s SkyBet Championship Player of the Month accolade.​

FotMob statistics reveal 8 goals, 6 assists, 23 starts, 1,939 minutes played, an average rating of 7.45, 2 yellow cards, and 1 red card in the 2025/26 Championship. He scores highly on rating, assists, and goals compared to other right wingers in the division.​

In a recent match against Hull City on 7 March, Azeez played 90 minutes, contributing an assist in a 1-3 win. His pace and versatility have been key in Millwall’s surge to fourth place, 11 points clear of the play-off spots.

How Did Previous Transfer Bids for Femi Azeez Fare?

Interest in Azeez is not new; Ipswich Town’s ambitious January move was thwarted.​

As per Shane MacDermott of SportsBoom, “Ipswich Town tried and failed to lure the 24-year-old from the Den during the January transfer window.” Bournemouth were similarly rebuffed. TransferFeed notes Ipswich’s bid exceeded £15 million but was rejected.

These failures have only heightened anticipation for the summer, with Millwall braced for “hefty bids” given Azeez’s trajectory.​

What is Millwall’s Position and Promotion Push?

Millwall’s strong campaign amplifies Azeez’s value.​

Under manager Alex Neil, the Lions are fourth, two points behind second and 11 points ahead of Southampton outside the play-offs. Last weekend’s defeat to Blackburn is viewed as a mere blip. SportsBoom’s Louis Hobbs, the sports editor, emphasises Azeez as “a key reason why the Lions are chasing an automatic promotion spot.”​

Even if promotion eludes them, sources predict Azeez is “set for Premier League football.”​

Why Might Leeds United and Sunderland Want Femi Azeez?

Leeds, managed by Daniel Farke, recently advanced in the FA Cup with a 3-0 win over Norwich City. Interest in Azeez aligns with bolstering their attack for promotion.​

Sunderland, also promotion hopefuls, have sent scouts amid their own top-flight aspirations. Leeds All Over notes the risk of pursuing big deals without Premier League security but flags Azeez’s class, recalling his brace at Elland Road last season.

What Challenges Lie Ahead in Signing Femi Azeez?

Azeez’s contract until June 2028 means Millwall can demand top dollar. Football League World’s £15-20 million claim signals a “transfer warning” for suitors like Leeds and Crystal Palace.

Family ties add intrigue: his brother Miguel plays for Morecambe in the National League. No international caps yet, but his career is “on an upward trajectory.”​

What Have Key Figures Said About the Transfer Race?

Direct quotes are sparse, but attributions abound. Shane MacDermott of SportsBoom reports sources understand Azeez is “set for Premier League football regardless.”​

TEAMtalk sources in TransferFeed state Palace’s interest is “particularly keen,” while others monitor closely. Graeme Bailey’s claim positions Leeds as active watchers.

Millwall fans hope for stability amid the “queue forming,” per SportsBoom.​