Steve Evans reveals Rotherham United stance on Sheffield Wednesday transfer swoop | OneFootball

Michael Smith will not be returning to the New York Stadium

Highlights

Rotherham United boss Steve Evans has revealed his admiration for ex-Miller and current Sheffield Wednesday striker Michael Smith but has ruled out the possibility of a reunion for the two parties this summer.

Evans is preparing for his first full season in his second stint as manager at the New York Stadium after replacing Leam Richardson for the final three outings of last season's dismal Championship campaign.

Rotherham continued to adhere to the outside stereotypes of being a 'yo-yo' side after being sat rock-bottom of the second-tier table for a large proportion of the campaign having eventually been overtaken by the Owls, who masterminded an eventual relegation escape under the guidance of Danny Rohl.

However, optimism has somewhat been restored among Millers fans after a raft of new incomings who bring a wealth of League One experience, as Evans looks to emulate his success of 10 years ago in this part of South Yorkshire.

But, if Rotherham are to mount yet another promotion bid in League One, they will be doing it without the acquisition of their former striker.

Steve Evans rules out Michael Smith, Rotherham United reunion amid Jonson Clarke-Harris claim

Smith made the switch to his current employers on a free transfer in 2022 after the expiration of his contract with Rotherham, despite the club winning promotion to the Championship, a season before Wednesday would rejoin their Yorkshire counterparts in the second tier.

His involvement as a starter in S6 has decreased over time, with the striker also being the subject of loan bids in the previous transfer window from Derby County, before it was reported that the Owls were "demanding an excessive fee in return."

Smith went on to score four times in 34 Championship appearances last term, which included a double against his former employers which secured his side's first win of the season on October 29th.

Evans has since revealed his admiration for the 32-year-old but has ruled out a potential reunion at the same time amid claims that the club have already made the best transfer out of any League One side this summer.

“I love ‘Smudge' (Smith)," he told the Rotherham Advertiser. “He was brilliant for Rotherham United, a handful against my teams when he played against them."

“But we've had the best League One signing of the whole transfer window in Jonson (Clarke-Harris).”

“People went on holiday, I went to work. That's what you need to do if you're going to build a team that wins things. You don't go on holiday in May," Evans stated in reference to the acquisition of Clarke-Harris, which was completed on May 15th.

“Would I love Smudge in the squad? Yeah,” he continued.

“But we've a good balance. We've got Clarke-Harris, we've got Jordan Hugill, we've got Sam Nombe, we've got Asapa Osong and Joe Hungbo can play up there - he's got great feet and is a very talented boy.”

“It's nothing to do with finances," the Scot declared. “We've never picked up the phone to Michael.”

Rotherham United's ambitions for the forthcoming League One campaign

Many sides in the third tier have already signalled their intentions when it comes to being in with a shout of promotion to the Championship and Rotherham are no exception.

The aforementioned signing of Clarke-Harris, a scorer of 107 goals in 275 appearances at this level, definitely sent out a statement from the newly relegated side, having poached the 30-year-old on a free transfer after his exit from Peterborough United.

12 further additions have been made up to this point, with a number of those previously tasting promotion from this level with clubs who hold a greater expectation on their shoulders in comparison to Rotherham, such as Smith's former Hillsborough teammates Cameron Dawson and Reece James, ex-Coventry City captain Liam Kelly, whilst Joe Rafferty and Sean Raggett also won the title last season with Portsmouth.

This is in addition to what is already a solid core of players for this level, such as Dillon Phillips, Christ Tiehi, Ollie Rathbone, Andre Green, as well as the aforementioned Hugill and Nombe.

There are an abundance of sides who are expected to stake their claim in the promotion bid, with fellow relegated outfit Birmingham City fronting those beliefs from outsiders, as well as Barnsley, Bolton Wanderers, Huddersfield Town and Charlton Athletic.

All things considered, when taking sentiment aside, a return to his former club wouldn't have made much sense for Smith, and it looks likely he will still be on his way out of Sheffield Wednesday following the signings of Jamal Lowe and Charlie McNeill.