Femi Azeez’s £30m price tag: Which of Wrexham, Hull, and Brighton can afford Nigeria star?

Femi Azeez has played himself into a £30m transfer conversation, and four English clubs now face the same question about who is willing to pay it, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Millwall winger is wanted by Wrexham, Hull City, West Ham and Brighton & Hove Albion, among several others, with reports putting his value as high as £30 million. Wrexham chief executive Michael Williamson has confirmed that the Championship club wants another creative attacker before the September 1 deadline. Soccernet reports that Azeez is among the players on their radar.

Azeez has a strong case for that level of interest. The 25-year-old scored 11 Championship goals and made seven assists in 2025-26. Millwall finished third, but Hull knocked them out in the play-off semi-finals. Azeez then carried that form into the Super Eagles, scoring twice in Nigeria’s 2-0 Unity Cup win over Zimbabwe at The Valley on May 26 before assisting in the final against Jamaica.

The situation is more complicated than simply asking which club has £30m in the bank. Azeez has a Millwall contract until June 2028, so Millwall can demand a strong fee. He also started the first two league games of the new season before a Grade 1B hamstring injury forced him off after 30 minutes against Bristol City on August 15. His target is a return against Southampton.

So, which of the four clubs has the money, the need and the transfer model to make the deal work?

Wrexham: Money is not the only question

Wrexham have already proved they can spend heavily. Their first Championship summer in 2025 brought 13 new players at a cost of about £30m, which gave the club one of the highest net spends in Europe.

The club’s latest accounts also show how quickly the project has grown. Revenue reached £33.3m for the year to June 2025, while wages rose to almost £20m. The club recorded a £14.8m operating loss.

That does not mean Wrexham cannot spend £30m. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have backed an aggressive growth plan. But the club’s recruitment model has also changed. After finishing seventh in their first Championship season, Parkinson wants additions that can take the team closer to the Premier League rather than another large squad rebuild. Williamson has described the approach as “quality over quantity.”

Azeez fits the need. Wrexham drew their first two league games against Cardiff City and Watford and created pressure without turning enough possession into goals. A creative winger who produced 18 goal contributions last season could solve that problem.

Hull City: The clearest financial route

Hull may have the strongest financial case. Owner Acun Ilicali said in July that the club had a £200m budget for the summer, with about £130m earmarked for transfer fees and £70m to £80m for salaries.

That is a huge budget for a newly promoted club. Hull returned to the Premier League after beating Middlesbrough 1-0 in the play-off final at Wembley, with Oli McBurnie scoring the stoppage-time winner. The club’s goal is survival, not just promotion celebrations.

Hull have also shown that they are prepared to rebuild the squad. Their recruitment team has stressed the need to use the budget carefully, while the club has mixed experienced players with younger signings. That approach makes Azeez a logical target because he already knows English football and has produced in the Championship.

If Millwall demand close to £30m, Hull can cover the fee without using most of their stated transfer allocation. The question is whether they want to spend that much on one winger.

West Ham: The name has money, but the situation has changed

West Ham would normally be the financial heavyweight in this group but that picture changed after relegation from the Premier League.

The club’s 2024-25 accounts recorded a £104.2m loss before tax, while turnover fell to £227.6m. West Ham also reported employment costs of £175.9m. The club said the fall was linked to a lower league position, no European football and lower profit from player sales.

West Ham also face a major revenue drop in the Championship. The club has transfer payments and future obligations to manage, which makes a £30m purchase harder to justify than it would have been in the Premier League.

That does not rule out Azeez. A return to the Premier League is the priority, and his Championship record could appeal to a club that needs immediate attacking quality. But West Ham would have to balance the fee, wages and the financial cost of another season outside the top flight.

Brighton: The best fit for the model

Brighton have the financial strength to make a £30m deal. Their 2024 accounts recorded a club-record £222.4m turnover and a £73.3m operating profit before interest and tax.

The club also spent heavily in 2024-25. Brighton invested about £210m in additions to the squad, which increased amortisation and contributed to a £54.4m operating loss in the latest accounts.

Yet Brighton’s recruitment model makes the Azeez decision more interesting. The club has built its reputation by buying players who can improve, perform at Premier League level and later generate major transfer income. Azeez is 25, has Championship experience and has already entered the Super Eagles setup, but £30m would be a large fee for a player in that age bracket.

Brighton have reportedly considered Azeez as a winger option if Amario Cozier-Duberry leaves for Rangers. That makes Brighton a credible destination, but Hull has the clearest stated transfer budget and Wrexham has the strongest immediate need for a creative player.

Afrik-Foot verdict

Hull City look best placed to pay a £30m fee without stretching their stated summer plan. Brighton can afford it, but their recruitment model could push them to negotiate a lower price. Wrexham have shown they can spend heavily, but £30m on one player would be a major step. West Ham have the resources of a former Premier League club, yet relegation has made every large transfer a more serious financial decision.

At this stage, there is no confirmed bid from any of the four clubs. Millwall’s 2028 contract gives them control, while Azeez’s recent injury adds another factor to a deal that could define the final week of the English transfer window.