Rotherham United 'set' to win race for Barnsley FC and Stockport County-linked Ossama Ashley
Rotherham United appear to be closing in on the capture of a Barnsley-linked midfielder
Rotherham United are reportedly set to win the race to sign free agent midfielder Ossama Ashley.
The 26-year-old did not make Salford City’s list of retained players at the end of the 2025/26 season having endured an injury-plagued League Two campaign.
A former West Ham United prospect, the midfielder is now free to seek pastures new as a free agent.
He was recently linked with League One outfit Barnsley, as well as their third-tier counterparts Stockport County.
However, it appears Ashley could instead be remaining in the fourth tier and heading to a different South Yorkshire club.
Rotherham United ‘set’ to win midfielder race
According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, newly-relegated League Two outfit Rotherham are poised to win the race for Ashley’s signature.
A move to the New York Stadium would reunite Ashley with new Millers boss Alex Bruce, who was a coach at Salford last season.
Posting on X, he said: “Rotherham are set to win the race to sign former Salford midfielder Ossama Ashley.
“New boss Alex Bruce has played a key role in persuading Ashley to snub interest from elsewhere to make the move to Rotherham having previously worked with him during his time at Salford.”
Rotherham United looking ahead
There has been plenty of uncertainty at Rotherham of late, much of it caused by the club’s drawn-out pursuit of a new head coach.
However, with Bruce now in post and new blood being targeted, Rotherham fans can finally start to look forward to the 2026/27 campaign.
The Millers have already completed the free transfer signing of forward Fabio Tavares, who was cut loose by Burton Albion at the end of last season.
It now remains to be seen whether Tavares will be followed through the door by Ashley, who will be hoping to bounce back from a tough chapter in his career.