Hot-shot Sam Nombe's imminent arrival and the rest of Rotherham's United's planned business as the transfer window draws to an end

ROTHERHAM United are preparing to smash their transfer record as they close in on announcing striker Sam Nombe has joined the club before Friday night's close of the summer window.  

A seven-figure fee has been agreed with Exeter City for the 24-year-old who is believed to have undergone a Millers medical yesterday.

At the time of writing on Wednesday afternoon, he is one of at three players Rotherham are hoping to add to their ranks before the 11pm Friday close of business and there are set to be exits from AESSEAL New York Stadium to help fund those deals.

His signing could be completed in time for him to be in the squad for Saturday's Championship home clash with Norwich City.

The amount the Millers are ready to pay the League One Grecians for the hitman is beyond the million-pound mark and is more than double their previous highest outlay, set less than a fortnight ago when midfielder Christ Tiehi made a £400,000-plus switch from Czech Republic side Slovan Liberec.

“I hope to get a couple more in (on top of Nombe) by the weekend,” said manager Matt Taylor after the Carabao Cup defeat with a weakened side at Stoke City on Tuesday night.

“In order to do that two or three players may have to go out, either permanently or on loan. There are a lot of moving parts in the last few days of the window.

“We have more than two or three who are available. They are players we feel aren't quite up to the level. We're trying to obtain value for money for them elsewhere. It's not a nice way of working because you want a bigger squad but it's needs must.”

With Josh Kayode possibly departing, the boss hasn't ruled out going for another frontman, in addition to Nombe, as the end of the window approaches.

“You can't have too many strikers,” he said. “It depends if there are any other outgoings. We're open to anything at the moment.”

Taylor already knows Nombe well, having taken him to Exeter from MK Dons in July 201 when he was boss at St James Park.

It is believed South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley have also made a big offer for the attacker but that he favours AESSEAL New York Stadium as his next destination. The Reds are now keen on taking Kayode to Oakwell.

Croydon-born Nombe, who wasn't in Exeter's matchday 20 for the Carabao Cup win over Stevenage on Tuesday, began his career with MK and had loan spells at Luton Town, Maidenhead United and Oxford City before linking up with Taylor.

He blossomed with the Grecians, scoring ten goals in 32 outings as they were promoted from League Two in the 2021/22 campaign and 17 in 47 appearances last term in the third tier. He has yet to get off the mark this season.

The bid to land him is a real statement of intent from Rotherham as they look to build on their 2022/23 Championship survival mission.

Meanwhile, Millers targetman Tom Eaves was taken ill after the match at Stoke and had to receive medical attention. There has been no comment from the club on the situation.

Rotherham, whose recruitment budget has been boosted by last week's sale of midfielder Ben Wiles to Huddersfield Town, have made 11 signings since the end of last season.