Rotherham United closing on two wingers and a centre-half, reveals boss Paul Warne

ROTHERHAM United are on the brink of landing at least one of their wing targets as they prepare to take their number of summer signings into double figures.
Paul WarnePaul Warne
Paul Warne

Manager Paul Warne believes a deal for a wide man is in the bag and is also hoping he has fought off interest from other clubs to land a centre-half.

A second winger transfer is in the pipeline as well, says the boss, who has brought nine new players to AESSEAL New York Stadium since the end of last season.

“I think I have got one of my permanents. We’re just dotting the ‘i’s and crossing the ‘t’s,” Warne told the Advertiser yesterday morning.

“I would like to think that by after the weekend I’ve got a permanent winger in, a permanent centre-half in and probably another winger coming in.”

The Millers, who are without a League One match this weekend following the postponement of their trip to Portsmouth, are seeking a decision from the centre-half by the end of today.

“I met him and Iiked him. He fits what I want,” Warne said. “He’s got other offers. I probably don’t offer as much in wages as the other two teams who want him but I like to think we offer more than just money.”

The player isn’t Ben Heneghan. Rotherham had been negotiating at one stage with the Sheffield United man before deciding against pursuing their interest in the 25-year-old.

“Heneghan was one of many centre-halves we looked at but I think I have got the one I want,” Warne said.

The boss intends being a busy man as the transfer window draws towards its close a week on Monday and revealed: “We’ve had an offer accepted for a second permanent winger.

“We need to see if we can agree terms with him and whether we fit with his ambitions. I’ll have to quickly meet him because I want to get him in the building as soon as possible.”

Warne, who may be forced to seek an extra defensive reinforcement in addition to his centre-half target because of injuries to right-backs Billy Jones and Matt Olosunde, is also exploring the loan market in his bid to increase his options on the flanks.

“I met another winger earlier in the week and have put a proposal into his club,” he said. “He wants to think about it. He’s with a Championship side. I’m not 100 per cent convinced he is going to come, if I’m honest.”