Three permanent targets, two loans ... five wingers in Rotherham United's sights

ROTHERHAM United are making moves for five wingers as they look to strengthen their League One squad before the close of the transfer window.
Paul WarnePaul Warne
Paul Warne

The Millers, who are in a play-off spot after Saturday's 1-0 win at Burton Albion, have submitted permanent bids for three wide men and are also interested in loan deals for two flank players with Championship clubs.

Manager Paul Warne, who is also close to landing a centre-half, knows that signing every attacking target isn't feasible and would settle for a single full transfer along with a temporary one.

"We've got bids in for permanent deals for three different wingers," he confirmed. "We might have to tweak the bids on them. They haven't been accepted.

"The permanent ones, I won't go above what I believe is their valuation. We have a valuation. You won't be surprised to know that their clubs have a higher valuation. If we can't meet in the middle, we can't and that's it."

The boss is planning to meet with one of the loan targets in the next couple of days.

Rotherham, who are without a league match until August 31, have until Monday September 2 to add to their numbers and Warne believes a winger and a defender could arrive this week.

He wants the option of playing wide men so he has an alternative to the 4-3-3 formation he has employed since the start of the season.

"I'm definitely going to meet a wide man with a Championship club next week," he said after Saturday's victory at the Pirelli Stadium. "It will probably be on Tuesday afternoon.

"We need to reinforce. We're constantly on it. I'm driving south and see a player and try to sell him the dream. The player would hopefully improve us but I've got to convince him there's a reason to come.

"We definitely need a wide outlet. We were screaming out for one against Burton. But we've won our two league away games playing three up front so that system is not too bad.

We had only 17 fit players against Burton. We've got only 20 pros and one of them is a young lad, Jake (Cooper).

"With any luck, we should be able to buy a wide player, loan a wide player and get a centre-half in."

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