Rotherham United loanee Kion Etete. Picture: Jim Brailsfordplaceholder image
Rotherham United loanee Kion Etete. Picture: Jim Brailsford
ROTHERHAM United will be in a stronger bargaining position in the January transfer window because of the deals they pulled off in the summer, the Advertiser can reveal.
The Millers made a quartet of temporary signings before the close of business, bringing in Manchester United's Dan Gore, Everton's Martin Sherif, Cardiff City's Kion Etete and Luton Town's on stays scheduled to last until the end of the season.
In all four cases, Rotherham managed to negotiate ‘break’ clauses that allow them to terminate the loans early. Usually, the power lies with the parent clubs who have sole discretion about whether there will be new-year recalls.
However, on this occasion, the Millers are masters of their own destiny and can send back any player who has suffered injury problems or hasn't reached the standard that was anticipated.
It means that they can easily free up room for fresh faces during the forthcoming window as they seek to strengthen a newly-built squad that is already exceeding expectations in League One and is close to entering the play-off picture.
Break clauses favouring the loan team aren't unheard of, but they are a rarity, and it is testimony to some shrewd negotiating that Rotherham have secured these agreements as they look to return to a more profitable way of working after last season's record third-tier spend.
The Millers will seek to keep midfielder Gore, who has been a standout performer, and will hope that centre-half Thomas Holmes builds on the promise of a superb September debut now that he is clear of a knee issue.
Strikers Etete and Sherif appear vulnerable as they are on the sidelines through quad and hamstring problems respectively and neither is close to playing again.
The parent clubs still hold an option to recall their players if they wish.
The Millers have drawn up their list of January targets and a centre-forward - probably on loan - is certain to be on it.
Generally, it was a summer of success from the Millers as 13 new faces came through the door and the average age of the first-team group was significantly lowered.
They were operating on a reduced budget, but head of football recruitment Rob Scott, through his contacts in Holland, landed talented Dutch duo Denzel Hall and Ar'Jany Martha, both of whom have had a major impact.
The club also brought in midfielder Kian Spence and young centre-back Lenny Agbaire who have shown the potential to become key members of the side and develop into saleable assets.
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