Rotherham United turn down new Ipswich Town offer for Matt Crooks

The Tractor Boys returned with an improved offer after an initial failed attempt to prise the 27-year-old away from AESSEAL New York Stadium for £400,000.

But the Millers say the new amount on the table is nowhere near what they think their player, who is entering the final year of his contract, is worth.

The Advertiser understands the latest bid is for either £500,000 for £600,000, although Rotherham haven't confirmed that.

"It isn't sufficient," said manager Paul Warne. "You're not going to sell one of your best assets to a League One rival unless it's for a significant amount of money.

"I don't regard, say, £600,000 for Crooks as a significant amount of money, not for a player of his talent."

The Millers would like to hold on to their six-foot-five-inch midfield man, named in the League One Team of the Year in 2020, who they signed from Northampton Town for around £200,000 two and a half years ago.

Their valuation of him is well into seven figures.

If they do sell, they would prefer to do business with a Championship club rather than allow him to join a side who are likely to be involved in a promotion battle with them next season.

Several sides in the second tier have expressed an interest in Crooks after his six-goal haul and impressive performances during Rotherham's relegation from that division last term.

"If he is to leave us, I'd like to think he's taking a massive step up," Warne said. "Playing in the same league, I don't regard that as a massive step up."

The player would be able to double his wages with a move to Ipswich who have a substantial budget to work with under their new ownership.

"I understand how players get attracted to clubs for obvious reasons," Warne said. "But I can't see us selling him to Ipswich for the money that's on offer at the moment.

"I don't think it's sufficient and I know our owner (Tony Stewart) has the same feelings."

Ipswich, under new ownership, have made Crooks a prime target and are unlikely to be deterred in their pursuit of him by a second Millers rejection.