Rotherham United handed transfer warning on Sheffield United icon - he's "had his heyday" | OneFootball

The former Sheffield United striker is now 40 years old, but FLW's Millers pundit believes he could still benefit his club in League Two next season.

With a takeover looming following relegation to League Two, Rotherham United will be in for a busy summer in the transfer market in a bid to rebuild.

To say that the 2025-26 season was a disappointment for Millers supporters would be something of an understatement.

Just two years after relegation from the Championship into League One, the South Yorkshire outfit were relegated again in 23rd place, and will start the next season playing in League Two for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

But this could be an exciting summer for United fans nevertheless. A Swiss consortium going by the name of the Bridge Football Group has been reported to be putting fresh investment into the club, and it's possible that this may yet bloom into a full takeover.

Such a move would bring to an end the 18-year ownership of Tony Stewart and usher in a new era at the AESSEAL New York Stadium as the club prepares for their return to League Two.

Regardless of the state of play regarding the club's ownership situation, though, it's clear that Rotherham need an extensive summer rebuild for the challenge ahead, and one veteran South Yorkshireman could be a good fit for them.

Legendary striker Billy Sharp has just been released by Doncaster Rovers, and he's already told BBC Radio Sheffield that he wants to play on for another season, despite having turned 40 earlier this year.

Should Rotherham United consider Billy Sharp as an option for 2025-26?

Football League World have spoken to our resident Rotherham fan pundit Tom Eyre about the possibility of Sharp making the move from Doncaster to Rotherham United this summer, and Tom can see the appeal of making Sharp an offer for next season.

"I think he's a player that you'd be silly not to consider," Tom told FLW.

"At Rotherham United we're currently undergoing a rebuild, and we definitely need someone of his experience and his know-how of the league. He's still got a clinical edge to him. He's still finding the net at his ripe old age."

At the same time, Tom has reservations over whether this would be the best way in which Rotherham could rebuild for next season.

"But if I'm being completely honest, I think that Sharp is someone who's had his heyday and had his time, and I think Rotherham should be looking at some experienced heads, but maybe players who can give more on the pitch than potentially Billy Sharp can," Eyre added.

"Obviously he'll give a lot for you off the pitch in terms of effort, endeavour and work-rate, but on the pitch I'm not sure if he'll potentially work out, but I can see a move like this happening and I wouldn't be completely displeased."

Over 22 years, Billy Sharp has become a legend of South Yorkshire football

Over the course of a 22-year senior career which has taken in three spells at Sheffield United and four spells at Doncaster Rovers, Billy Sharp has become a legend of South Yorkshire football.

He made his full debut for Sheffield United in 2004, and as well as the Blades and Doncaster Rovers he's also had spells with eight other clubs over the previous couple of decades, including Nottingham Forest, Southampton and LA Galaxy.

Sharp returned to Doncaster Rovers in June 2024 after being released at the end of a half-season contract with Hull City. Although he'd already had three spells with the club, this was his first for ten years, and he scored in his first match back at The Keepmoat Stadium, a 4-1 win against Accrington Stanley in August 2024.

And the 2025-26 season was a success for him. In all competitions, he made 45 appearances for Doncaster Rovers, scoring 14 goals. He reached the milestone of his 700th appearance in senior football against Lincoln City in the middle of November, and scored his first hat-trick for the club in a 5-1 win over Chesterfield in the EFL Trophy a couple of weeks later.

He also marked his final appearance for them with another one, scoring all three goals in their 3-1 win against Peterborough United on the final day of the season. He had the ball in the Peterborough net a fourth time too, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.

By signing for Rotherham United this summer, Sharp would be dropping a division, and his goalscoring exploits last season confirm that there's plenty of life in him yet. He could provide the Millers with an answer, as they plot a return to form following two relegations in three seasons which have somewhat shaken the club.