Paul Warne sets out Rotherham United transfer aim ahead of summer window

Rotherham United manager Paul Warne has admitted that he is looking to sign seven or eight players during the upcoming transfer window and is already having discussions with some of his targets.

The Millers made some significant alterations to their squad yesterday as they announced their retained list.

Freddie Ladapo, Jake Cooper, Jacob Gratton, Angus MacDonald, Mickel Miller and Joe Mattock are all set to leave the club when their contracts expire next month after the Millers decided against offering them fresh terms.

Meanwhile, conversations with Michael Smith, Michael Ihiekwe and Jamie Lindsay over new deals have been opened.

When you consider that Rotherham are also set to part ways with Rarmani Edmonds-Green, Jordi Osei-Tutu and Will Grigg when their respective loan deals reach a conclusion, it could turn out to be a very busy summer of transfer activity.

Warne will be aiming to assemble a squad which is capable of competing in the Championship following his side’s promotion to this division last month.

Making reference to his transfer plans, Warne has admitted that he is looking to bring in a host of players between now and the start of the 2022/23 campaign.

Speaking to Rotherham’s official website, Warne said: “I think we’ll need to sign seven or eight players at least this summer and we’ve already started conversations to try and get people in.

“Now it is a case of trying to get them in.

“This early in the window, the value of a player is always higher, but the longer you go on it gets more realistic.

“We have to try and be competitive, sell them the club and what we do but fundamentally, some of the players we want are tied to other clubs, which would mean us agreeing a fee first.

“It’s like if you want to buy