How QPR earned the millions Millwall let slip through their fingers with £19.5m man.

Millwall had Eberechi Eze as a teenager, but they did not give him the opportunities that QPR did.

It’s difficult to believe now that Eze has become the player he has, but the attacker was turned down by Arsenal, Fulham, Reading, and Millwall before receiving his chance with the Hoops.

He dominated at Loftus Road, earning a lucrative move to Crystal Palace, which might bring even more cash to the west London club. It could have been Millwall; a decision they will regret for a long time.

Millwall rejected Eze early in his career

After being released by Fulham after two and a half years, he tried unsuccessfully to sign with Reading after tryouts before joining Millwall.

They offered him a two-year scholarship but decided there wasn’t enough evidence over the previous 24 months to warrant further investigation, so they released the future England international. “After getting released from Millwall, my confidence was low, and you’re still trying to find your way,” Eze told England’s official website.

 

“But I ended up signing a professional contract at QPR.” It was a move that would significantly alter the course of Eze’s career and leave the Lions with plenty to consider.

Eze quickly caught fire at QPR

The teenager impressed after arriving in the summer of 2016, earning a new two-and-a-half-year contract at Loftus Road in January 2017.

He went out on loan to Wycombe Wanderers in 2017/18, gradually increasing his minutes and goal contributions for the west London club.

It resulted in a 2019/20 explosion, with Eze scoring 14 goals and assisting eight times in 46 Championship games.

Millwall knew they’d made a mistake by this stage, but it was reinforced the following summer when they saw the transfer fee he’d command.

Millwall will be furious to miss out on Eze millions

Following that great season, Palace paid an astounding £19.5 million to bring the then-22-year-old to Selhurst Park.

Such sums are uncommon in the second division, and they might provide clubs with financial power they might not have had otherwise. Millwall will realise they squandered an opportunity to benefit. The fact that QPR inserted a 20% sell-on provision into Eze’s contract will sting even more.

The attacking midfielder has risen to new heights in the Premier League, increasing his worth.

Fees of up to £65 million have been suggested, implying that the Hoops’ clause may be worth an additional eight-figure sum.

QPR pulled off a coup after signing Eze for nothing, had him have a fantastic couple of seasons in the Championship, collected the initial money, and possibly waiting for more down the line.

Millwall’s misery is QPR’s gain, since they had Eze in their squad for two years, noticed his talents but not his potential, and ultimately paid a high price for that mistake.

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