Rotherham United boss Matt Taylor addresses reports that Middlesbrough have offered £900,000 for Millers playmaker Dan Barlaser

Reports surfaced in the national media before the Millers' 4-0 home Championship triumph over Blackburn Rovers yesterday that the Teessiders had put an offer of £900,000 on the table.

Taylor confirmed that Boro are one of the sides chasing the midfielder's services during the January transfer window but revealed that the figure suggested is wide of the mark.

"There have been bids for Dan but that number isn't correct," he said.

Barlaser was one of the star performers as Rotherham got their campaign back on track with a return to form and a big victory against promotion-chasing Blackburn.

The 25-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season when he could leave for free yet Rotherham would prefer to keep him for their survival push rather sell while they can.

It would take a substantial bid for them to consider letting him go as previous club Newcastle United are due 40 per cent of any sale.

"Dan is still our player, as it stands," Taylor said. "I was pleased with where he was on the pitch and what he could do for the team.

"We know what is coming in the next couple of weeks. The interest will probably heighten in him and possibly in a couple of out other players.

"We will have to handle that interest on its merit every time it comes in."

Barlaser has rejected the Millers' offer of a new contract. He is from the North East and joining  a big second-tier club like Boro on much larger wages and being closer to his family holds obvious appeal.

New boys Sean Morrison and Leo Hjelde made excellent debuts against Blackburn for the Millers who will look to further reinforce their squad next week following a lull over the weekend.

"It kind of shuts down from 5pm Thursday to Monday afternoon because everyone just concentrates on the game of football," Taylor said after goals by Hakeem Odoffin, Ollie Rathbone, Shane Ferguson and Conor Washington in the Sky TV encounter had lifted the mood following seven games without a win.

"I had another couple of positive conversations late on in the week. We are working so, so hard to bring people in.

"Hopefully some agents and coaches will have been watching this game and will think: 'My player would suit that, the way Rotherham are playing at the moment.'"