Rotherham
could be well-served to get Wigan Athletic on speed dial as their
paths continue to cross this summer.
After
they were both embroiled in a Sky Bet Championship relegation fight
last season, which the Millers won and Latics lost, it was Wigan who
emerged triumphant in their next battle as they lured Craig Morgan to
the DW Stadium after the skipper turned down fresh terms at
Rotherham.
Their
contact has not stopped there with the Millers continually linked
with a move for former loanee James Tavernier while Wigan have had a
bid for striker Matt Derbyshire rejected, with coach Eric Black's arrival at NewYork from the DW Stadium announced on Tuesday.
Tavernier
has been a long-time target of Millers boss Steve Evans, ever since
his hugely successful loan spell in the 2013-14 League One promotion
campaign.
The
23-year-old has failed to settle in his time at Wigan and spent time
on loan at Bristol City last season, after a similar move to New York was not
sanctioned last January.
Tavernier's potential return is a story that refuses to go away and although he is
currently in Spain on Latics' pre-season trip, assistant boss Paul Raynor admits it's a
deal he'd like to see happen, though the two clubs are struggling to agree a fee.
“James
is a player who it is well documented that we like,” he said,
“Would we like him in the door? I think that's quite obvious. He
was fantastic for us. But he's a Wigan player.
“I
don't know what has been going on behind the scenes if anything, but
he's certainly a player we'd like and love to have around.
“But
he's a Wigan player and that's their prerogative. I know me and Steve
have spoke about how much we like him as a player and whether that has gone any further, I really don't know.”
Derbyshire
has reportedly been the subject of a £600,000 bid, but with his 10
goals last season firing the Millers to safety, they won't be letting
him go anywhere in a hurry.
"We
certainly wouldn't entertain anything from any other clubs regarding
Matt,” Raynor added. “At the moment, we are not entertaining
anything from anybody.
“We've
got our business getting people in the door and we certainly don't
want to be losing players.
“We
can't really affect losing players out of contract, that's their
prerogative. But we can certainly affect the guys who are in the door and
under contract.
“I
have certainly not heard anything regarding Matt. We are delighted to
have him and if he can show the type of form he showed towards the
end of last season, then he's a fantastic guy to have around.
“I
am anticipating that Matt is going to be around all season and
hopefully banging goals in like the end of last season when he was as
good as anybody in the Championship, which is the reason why we
bought him in in the first place.
“It
took a bit of time, but once the goals started to go in and the
confidence rose, then he was as good as anybody.”
Meanwhile,
the Millers' search for a new goalkeeper is ongoing after they missed
out on bringing Jonathan Bond to South Yorkshire.
The
former Watford stopper chose to sign for the Royals and Evans is
working hard to bring someone else in.
"That's
still ongoing,” Raynor added. “There's one or two irons in the
fire. I know the gaffer has been very, very active. But these things
take time. We are dealing with two or three clubs on that front and
we will see how that progresses."
