Fresh Duncan Watmore and Rotherham United twist revealed amid previous Sheffield Wednesday interest
Duncan Watmore’s future remains unresolved following another twist in Rotherham United’s interest.
Rotherham United manager Matt Hamshaw has once again played down the chances of the League One club signing former Millwall attacker Duncan Watmore.
The versatile attacker, who has been a free agent since the end of last season, spent time with Sheffield Wednesday ahead of Christmas, both training with the club and playing for their Under-21s.
For a time, it was understood Wednesday were running the rule over the former Sunderland man after they learned they would be given permission to fill two free agent slots in November. Those spaces were, of course, claimed by Liam Cooper and Nathan Redmond.
Following that development, Rotherham approached Watmore and attempted to sign him on a short-term deal, but Hamshaw revealed the 31-year-old rejected a move to the AESSEAL New York Stadium. Last week, though, the Rotherham chief reopened the door on the prospect of signing him.
“There's nothing I can really say at this moment,” Hamshaw said a week ago, speaking to the Rotherham Advertiser. “We're obviously looking at a number of options. I've made no secret of it that I'm looking to bring strikers in. We desperately need two.
“Duncan Watmore's an experienced player and any team in League One would be lucky to have him. He's a name that has been put to us, he's a name that keeps getting brought up. You keep bringing him up yourself!
“Look, we'll just wait and see. We have to weigh up all of our options, see where we are, see what fits best for us, and then get clearance on that.”
Hamshaw reveals latest Watmore twist
The Advertiser then said: “It's maybe not as dead as it was three weeks ago, then?” Hamshaw replied: “Nothing's dead at this moment, my friend.”
However, in a fresh update, Hamshaw has now confirmed the chances of Watmore joining the club have receded.
Asked if a deal to sign him had progressed, the Millers boss told the Advertiser: “No, not really, no. It’s probably less likely than it was last week.”
Asked what had changed, Hamshaw added: “I can’t [say]. There are things that kind of confidential within it.”
As far as Wednesday are concerned, they are, as things stand, currently only permitted to bring in two loan signings in this month’s transfer window, meaning there is no scope for them to bring in any free agent additions to strengthen their squad.
When asked if Watmore was a player Wednesday would reconsider running the rule over if they got permission to sign a free agent this month, Owls manager Henrik Pedersen, ahead of Christmas, refused to confirm or deny if he was still on the club’s radar.