Alex Bruce's financial hope as Rotherham United prepare for the exit of Sam Nombe
ROTHERHAM United head coach Alex Bruce is banking on his recruitment budget being boosted as the sale of prized asset Sam Nombe draws nearer.
A number of clubs are chasing the striker's signature and he was left out of the first pre-season friendly, against non-league Parkgate, last night to avoid the risk of an injury scuppering a deal.
The Millers paid more than £1 million for the 27-year-old when they made him their record signing in 2023 and want to recoup as much of that fee as possible.
MK Dons lead the chase for the man who has topped Rotherham's scoring chart for the last two seasons but plenty of other teams are in the mix.
“I hope so,” said Bruce when asked if the proceeds from Nombe's impending exit will be made available to him as he bids to lead his new club straight back to the third tier following last term's relegation.
“There's interest from clubs, that's what I'm aware of,” he said. “To be honest with you, in terms of bids and things like that, that's not my port of call. Regarding the money side of things, that is something that I'm not keen on getting involved in. It's the powers that be that have to get involved in that.
“And all I know is, when they've received a bid and they're happy it's the right price, I will be told and we will take it from there. There are a few things going on with Sam. We'll have to see how that develops over the coming days.”
The centre-forward trained with his teammates on the day of the Parkgate clash but had left by the time of the 7pm kick-off on the Rotherham Hospice Community Stadium pitch next door to the Millers' Roundwood training base.
Meanwhile, none of Rotherham's three most recent signings featured in the game which ended in a 1-0 win for Bruce's men.
Midfielders Ossama Ashley and Jamie Jellis joined the club only hours before kick-off while winger Aaron Nemane arrived earlier in the week.
“Ossama and Jamie completed the paperwork only today,” said Bruce in a post-match interview. “Jamie finished his medical only this afternoon. The game came around a little bit too quickly for them.
“We need to get a good week's training into them, do a few bits and pieces. But I expect to see them in a Rotherham shirt come the back end of next week.
”The same thing applies with Aaron. He's had only two days' training. To throw him straight into a game, we didn't feel it was the right thing to do. But again, you'll see him next week, I'm sure.”
Jellis, aged 25, has agreed a two-year deal after spending two seasons in the fourth tier with Walsall, playing 100 times and reaching the 2025 play-off final.
The free
“I'm very, very pleased about the signing,” Bruce said. “He's a fit lad. He's played a lot of games in League Two. He's robust, he plays every week. He'll run forward, show loads of energy and chip in with the odd goal. I'm really looking forward to working with him.”