Rotherham United eyeing former Sheffield United hitman Billy Sharp

VETERAN Championship hot-shot Billy Sharp is among the potential summer targets of Rotherham United following his exit from South Yorkshire derby rivals Sheffield United.

Manager Matt Taylor this week played down the Millers' interest to a degree but admitted that the striker, a prolific scorer at second-tier level for years, features on the club's radar.

Sharp is a free agent after parting company with the Blades since their promotion to the Premier League.

Contrary to speculation rife on social media, no deal has yet been struck for the 37-year-old whose goal tally in nearly 19 years as a professional is well past 250.

The attacker is settled in the area and a move to AESSEAL New York Stadium could suit both parties.

"We're in the market for centre-forwards, of course we are," said Taylor said who led Rotherham to Championship safety last term. "He's a player we have admired. I think people will put two and two together because of the location situation. He's a player who has had success and is relatively local."

The hitman, once part of Rotherham's youth ranks, is in the twilight of his career but played 45 times last term for the Blades as they climbed into the top flight by finishing runners-up to Burnley.

His previous teams include Scunthorpe United, Doncaster Rovers, Southampton, for whom he appeared in the Premier League, and Leeds United.

"If our recruitment team carry on down the lines they have been doing then conversations might develop with a number of players," Taylor said. "If that includes Billy Sharp then so be it."

The Millers returned for pre-season training on Monday and within two days had announced that defenders Lee Peltier, Sean Morrison and Tyler Blackett, who were all at the end of their contracts, had signed new terms and would be staying for a further year.

Rotherham have yet to bring in any new faces and Taylor is predicting that that situation will change shortly as he seeks to strengthen his squad in all areas.

"That is a million-dollar question," he said when the Advertiser asked him when he expected outside recruitment to begin. We've got countless offers out. We're working our socks off.

The Millers secured their Championship survival last year but have lost out on some targets to bigger clubs in the division.

"We've been turned down by some players," Taylor said. "Naturally, that happens to us at this level. We understand that. We have to be patient.

"I'd like players through the door now because the first week of pre-season is an important time in terms of team spirit and fitness. But I also understand that to get the players we want we might have to play a little bit more of a waiting game. I do expect some movement soon.

"Players get itchy feet leading into the start of pre-season. Once they see other players back out there and getting ahead of the game in terms of fitness they don't want to be sitting around themselves for too long."

Rotherham would like to bring back Tariqe Fosu to New York following the winger's loan spell with the club last term but face competition for his signature from other sides now that he has left Brentford.

"We spoke to Tariqe at the end of the season," Taylor said. "We knew where he would be looking in relation to his market. We've respected that and kept the lines of communication open. There is nothing immediate on the horizon. We did enjoy working with him last year."