Rotherham United closing in on centre-half
ROTHERHAM United are edging towards a deal to add a new centre-half to their squad.
The signing would be a permanent one as manager Matt Hamshaw seeks to use this month's transfer window to assemble a squad capable of climbing out of League One's drop zone.
After losing out on other defensive targets, the Millers are hopeful that matters reach a successful conclusion before the weekend, although there is no absolute guarantee at this stage that the deal will go through.
“We're in the middle of some communication with a particular club,” Hamshaw said. “Certain details around that deal are kind of getting ironed out - that's with the parent club, not us.”
The boss refused to confirm the player's identity, but the Advertiser understands it is Norwich City 22-year-old Emmanuel Adegboyega.
The defender, born in the Republic of Ireland, hasn't played for the Championship Canaries' first team but has had loan spells at Drogheda, Walsall and Dundee United.
He played 14 times for Walsall in League Two in 2024, had a full season in the Scottish Premiership last year and would be Rotherham’s second capture of the window following last week’s arrival of striker Harry Gray from Leeds United.
Meanwhile, the Millers have around half a dozen strikers on their radar in case they miss out on a loan for Sheffield United's Ryan One.
“There are irons in the fire, we're still trying to push on certain things,” Hamshaw said. “There's a lot of competition in that position with a lot of clubs in our league. There are five or six on our list.
“As it stands at this minute, none are available now. Some could come available in an hour's time, some could come available after the weekend, some could come available on the last day of the window.
“We're obviously well aware we've got a big three games coming up (AFC Wimbledon and Northampton Town at home, then Exeter City away) and I want to strengthen the team as quickly as I can.”
Rotherham play Wimbledon this Saturday when they will be bidding to end a run of eight losses.
They will hope to build on a positive second-half display at Stockport County last weekend and may be boosted by the return of Joe Powell (groin), Ar'Jany Martha (leg) and, possibly, Dan Gore (groin).