Rotherham United urged to gatecrash Sheffield Wednesday transfer plan for player who "gives 110%" | OneFootball

Rotherham United have been told to finalise a deal for free agent Duncan Watmore ahead of Sheffield Wednesday.

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Rotherham United are rivalling Sheffield Wednesday in pursuit of former Millwall player Duncan Watmore, as the attacker looks to secure a return to the game.

The 31-year-old last played for the Lions in February, with a serious injury issue, meaning he was unlikely to be offered a new contract when his previous deal expired this summer.

That proved to be the case, with Watmore working his way back to full fitness, and he is now at a stage where he is ready to sign for a new club.

Rotherham United urged to secure deal for Duncan Watmore ahead of Sheffield Wednesday

It’s no secret that Sheffield Wednesday are monitoring Watmore, but their complicated situation with the EFL means they were previously unable to register players, and whilst that has now been lifted, they are still restricted in the number of additions they can make.

As a result, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding Watmore’s future, and journalist Alan Nixon confirmed that Rotherham are eying a potential deal for the former Sunderland man.

And, when quizzed by FLW about the prospect of the League One side bringing in the forward, Millers’ fan pundit Tom Eyre explained that he feels it would be a smart addition, even if it’s very much a ‘short-term solution’ for Matt Hamshaw.

“Free agents are usually free agents for a reason, so part of me feels like it is a short-term solution as opposed to a long-term one. He is not going to be as fit or match ready as Matt Hamshaw might like.

“But, he is a player who scores goals, he is versatile, full of energy and he suits the playing style of what we’re looking for in a forward.

“Scoring five goals in the Championship in the number of games he played is no easy feat, and Watmore has shown in the past that he has good pedigree, and he is a work-horse, he gives 110% every time he steps on the football pitch.

“For me, if we can afford his wages, then it would be great. He’s only 31, he can do it at a good level, and he might be the one to take us to that next step and into the play-off places.”

Duncan Watmore would be a shrewd signing for Sheffield Wednesday or Rotherham United

Clearly, this is going to be a difficult deal for Rotherham to do due to Wednesday’s interest, as, despite their struggles, the chance to play in the Championship would surely be his preference.

But, the Millers are right to push for a deal, and you’d have to say it would be a real coup for Hamshaw if they could bring him to the club.

As mentioned above, his goal return for Millwall was decent last season, as whilst he scored five in 26, many of those appearances were from the bench. Plus, Watmore’s game has never only been about goals, as he is someone who brings an infectious work-rate to the pitch, and he offers a different dimension with the way he can press.

When you add in his experience and know-how, then it’s a no-brainer for Wednesday or Rotherham if a deal can be agreed for a suitable salary.

Naturally, there will be some concerns about this deal, and Watmore’s fitness record over the years is a worry, but it’s a gamble worth taking, whilst there will be a hope that the forward can hit the ground running as he has been training with Stockport County, so he should be in decent shape, even if he will need time to get up to the full intensity of EFL games.