Blackpool bid for Jerry Yates but Rotherham United hold out for more money

The Millers have received a six-figure bid for their striker, who starred on loan with League Two Swindon Town last season, and this week confirmed that it has come from the Bloomfield Road club.

Swindon would love Yates to return to them permanently and have said publicly they will submit an offer. However, at the time of writing they had yet to make their move.

Rotherham exercised an option to extend the 23-year-old’s contract by 12 months earlier this summer and have rejected League One Blackpool’s opening gambit.

Other teams also covet Yates who bagged 14 goals in 35 games as Swindon finished their campaign as champions.

“There might have been a few phone calls (from other clubs), but Blackpool are the only ones to put an official bid in,” manager Paul Warne said.

“If they reach our technical board’s valuation, then Jerry will be gone, so to speak. In the meantime, he is training with us and training really well. Because of the type of people we are, we will continue to train him as if he’s staying here.

“I’m well aware of the fact there are a lot of clubs interested in him and we’ll see how that progresses. At the moment, the bid hasn’t reached our valuation so he stays with us.

“There has been no bid from Swindon to my knowledge as we speak on Tuesday morning.”

Yates came through the youth ranks at AESSEAL New York Stadium but never established himself as a first-team regular, scoring five times in 52 outings.

Meanwhile, a new Millers contract for right-back Billy Jones has now been finalised while goalkeeper Lewis Price has agreed terms to stay.

“Pricey just hasn’t been down and signed yet,” Warne said. “We have a good relationship, me and Pricey, so he’s not going to suddenly pull it away from mes. Unless Bayern Munich suddenly come in for him, in which case he will go with my blessing.”

Rotherham believe they will begin the next Championship season on September 12, although the EFL have yet to ratify that date.

“Everyone seems to be thinking that it’s going to be then,” Warne said. “A few weeks ago, it was going to be August 29, hence why we came back training when we did. But then they moved the date.

“It’s still not in concrete but I think it will be September 12. I’d expect the fixtures to come out pretty early in August. I’ve spoken to a couple of coaching staff at other Championship clubs and they also think it will be September 12.”