Dan Barlaser on Rotherham United new-deal talks and interest from Middlesbrough

WANTED man Dan Barlaser says he is concentrating on his football as talks take place over his future at Rotherham United.

The playmaker is about to enter the final six months of his contract at AESSEAL New York Stadium and the Millers have offered him a new deal that they want him to sign before the start of the New Year.

However, the midfield man is a target of Championship rivals Middlesbrough and the Teesside club, who could offer significantly more in wages, are ready to make a move for him in the January transfer window.

Barlaser has kept away from the Millers negotiations, leaving it to his representative to have discussions with head of recruitment Rob Scott.

“My agent is speaking to the club,” the 25-year-old confirmed. “Just now, I’m focusing on trying to play well for Rotherham and get some wins. We’ll see what happens.”

Boro are managed by former Manchester United and England midfielder Michael Carrick who was a similar sort of player to Barlaser.

The boss of two months has got his side climbing the table after replacing Chris Wilder and admires his fellow Geordie’s range of passing and delivery at set-pieces.

Barlaser, in his fourth season at New York, would obviously be tempted by the chance to sign for a bigger club who are nearer to where his family live in Newcastle.

“I’m a Rotherham player until I’m told otherwise,” he said. “It’s good when you’re getting recognised by other teams who are higher in the league, but I play for Rotherham and I’ll do my best for them.

“I haven’t been told of any approach. That’s all I can say.”

The January window offers the Millers a final chance to cash in on a player who has been part of two League One promotions with them and is close to the top of the assists chart this term in the second tier.

They could, however, decide it would be better business to keep him until the expiry of the deal — even though he could then leave for free in the summer — in the hope that his continued presence helps them to remain in the Championship.

Barlaser moved to South Yorkshire from boyhood club Newcastle United with whom he had been since the age of nine.

The Magpies had a sell-on clause inserted in the contract when he left them and are due 40 per cent of any fee if the Millers opt to let him go.

Rotherham have no option to extend his deal.

The former England youth international said that if the Millers come up with the right offer he will “have a good think about it”.