Rotherham United boss Paul Warne confident of keeping star men

Rotherham boss Paul Warne does not think any clubs will be able to afford his best players this transfer window.
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The financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic is likely to see clubs have less money to spend on players and Warne reckons that will be enough to keep the sharks away from his best assets.

Warne has always said that every player in his squad is available if the price is right and the Millers have sold Danny Ward, Will Vaulks and Semi Ajayi for big money over the past few years.

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There has been interest in Matt Crooks from another Championship club, but that has not gone anywhere, while Michael Smith, Ben Wiles and Freddie Ladapo are players other clubs might look at.

Rotherham United's Matt Crooks has been the subject of interest from a Championship club. Photo: Steve Ellis.Rotherham United's Matt Crooks has been the subject of interest from a Championship club. Photo: Steve Ellis.
Rotherham United's Matt Crooks has been the subject of interest from a Championship club. Photo: Steve Ellis.

Even if clubs do engage and make a bid, Warne is confident the club will reject them.

“I don't forsee any problems of keeping any of our players this year because I don't forsee anyone having excess money to buy any of our players and we are not in a position where we need sales,” he told the Star.

“The chairman has made that very clear, we don't need the money.“If it is not going to benefit our team selling players and it is not financially viable, then it won't happen.”

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The transfer window runs into the early part of October, with Football League clubs able to do business a week after Premier League clubs.

That could start a chain reaction which does leave Warne nervous.

“I don't think any of our players leaving in the next couple of weeks, but I can imagine something in the end of September,” he said.

“What happens is, teams will have a bit of a panic, the manager will get the chairman in an emotional neck brace and all of a sudden he has got a couple of million to spend.“That might happen then. We have to plan and go with this team we have got.“We have got signings we want to get and we have got contingencies in place if any of our players go. That's all we can do.“I'm looking forward to transfer deadline day, I've got a countdown on my phone.”

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The Millers' 2020-21 campaign begins at Salford today (Saturday) in the Carabao Cup.

Warne says he will be picking a side to win, but not his strongest available XI. Ben Wiles and Matt Olosunde are injured, while Mickel Miller has a suspension carried over from last season at Hamilton Academicals.

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