The Millers are not messing around in the summer transfer window, having already completed three deals. Rotherham United are reportedly looking to sign versatile Derby County player Louie Sibley and Barnsley defender Jordan Williams, as well as Sheffield Wednesday pair George Byers and Reece James.
The Millers made a surprise decision to part ways with Leam Richardson before the close of the 2023/24 season, instead hiring Stevenage manager – and previous boss – Steve Evans.
In true Evans form, his team is not fooling around in the transfer market. They were one of the most active teams in the EFL’s transfer window, bringing in some elite League One talent for their first season back in the third division since being promoted in 2021/22.
Rotherham have already signed forward Jonson Clarke-Harris, Portsmouth promotion winner Joe Rafferty, and Northampton Town midfielder Sean McWilliams, but they are also likely to say farewell to outstanding goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, who will join Stoke City in June.
This agreement for the Swedish international gives the Millers some breathing room in their spending budget, and four players have been identified as potential targets.
Rotherham is targeting Sheffield. According to Darren Witcoop, United are interested in signing former Wednesday players Byers and James, Derby County’s Louie Sibley, and Barnsley’s Jordan Williams. The Owls’ left-back James and midfielder Byers will be released when their contracts expire, with the Sheffield Star suggesting that the Millers were interested in both players.
New ties have arisen between Sibley and Williams, with the former in talks with Derby over a new deal at Pride Park.
Sibley came through the Rams’ academy system as an attacking midfielder, but under Paul Warne, he was forced to move around the pitch for game time, eventually settling as a left wing-back near the end of the season, scoring three goals and providing four League One assists. Former Barnsley captain Williams, meanwhile, is now a free agent, having left the club earlier this month. The 24-year-old featured 52 times in all competitions this season, primarily on the right side of a back three for the Tykes, and he appears to be on Evans’ radar.
Rotherham targets could provide them with the same difficulty.
Norwich City and Fulham were originally considered yo-yo teams between the Championship and the Premier League, although their statuses have shifted very swiftly.
That word has also been widely connected with the Millers, who have bounced between the second and third tiers several times in the last eight years.
They must find a method to break out from this pattern. These players, who are being associated with and have already signed, are surely good enough for League One, but it’s a team that may need to be rebuilt if promotion is achieved to give themselves the greatest chance.
Byers played an important part for Blackpool during his loan spell in the second half of the 23/24 season. He also made over 20 Championship appearances for the Owls before joining the Seasiders in January, so there is cause to be optimistic about second-tier football. His defensive comrade James, on the other hand, did not play much for Danny Röhl but has gained valuable experience in the third tier.
Sibley also has championship experience. Is there anything on his resume that suggests he’ll be ready for the next step, whether it’s continuing with the Rams or perhaps joining Rotherham? Not in a significant way. However, his age plays a role in this, and his development could lead to his being a player of that level. If Rotehrham manages to sign even a two of their new targets, they will be a force to be reckoned with in League One, but the question is whether they will be good enough for the second tier. That is the club’s goal, so it must be taken into consideration.
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