ROTHERHAM UNITED manager Steve Evans has claimed that the club’s star asset, Viktor Johansson, is attracting a ‘great amount of interest’ from other teams as he prepares to let his deputy emerge from the shadows.
Widely regarded as one of the top goalkeepers in the Championship, Johansson is anticipated to leave this summer, with the Swedish international apparently having a £1 million relegation clause in his contract that extends until the summer of 2025.
The 25-year-old was extensively connected with a move to Sheffield United during the winter transfer window, and Stoke City is the latest club to be linked with him.
Johansson has been a league regular for the Millers this season, but Evans reveals he may give number two Dillon Phillips a chance in the club’s final two games to see how he performs in competition.
Evans said: “Listen, I believe it’s well known around football, and I know Viktor’s representatives haven’t been shy about putting it in the media, that there are conditions in his contract that allow him to move on.
“He has a lot of interest in him, and I’m not surprised. I had just worked with him for a week and watched him for 20 minutes in his first training session when I exclaimed to (Paul) Raynor, ‘That boy is the genuine deal.’
“Everything he does; his professionalism, his hands and his saves.”I’ve seen Viktor play against my teams and sat in the spectators, and Viktor always draws a lot of attention. What I have to do is ensure that we continue to adore the child, because you never say never.
“More importantly, I have had a really good study on Dillon Phillips, who was very good at Wycombe and fantastic.
“He had a fantastic move to Rotherham. I feel terrible for him in some ways, but also for Viktor Johansson, because that boy has been so terrific.
“It’s always crucial to judge everyone in the two games (before the season’s finish), and they may be the
There will also be an opportunity to see Dillon in action in these (upcoming) games – if not on Saturday, then the following Saturday – rather than merely on the training ground.”
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Meanwhile, Evans has revealed that striker Charlie Wyke has returned to parent club Wigan Athletic owing to a slight ankle injury, and his loan term in South Yorkshire has ended.
The Millers’ manager has also stated that the club intends to have conversations with important players Hakeem Odoffin and Ollie Rathbone about longer-term terms after activating 12-month provisions in their present contracts to keep them until the summer of 2025.
Evans added: “I had a brief conversation with Rob Scott and Paul Douglas, informing both players that we would be exploring the options.
“That is in preparation for doing something more long-term, more permanent, something that makes them feel more cherished, if you will, when we return in the summer. I am not going to rush them now. Both have major roles to perform.
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