Rotherham United v Wolves: Agard stays with Rotherham as deal collapses

Agard, 24, the Millers’ top scorer last season as they won promotion to the Championship, was the subject of a bid – believed to be in the region of £1m – by Leeds on Thursday night which the Millers accepted. He travelled to Elland Road yesterday morning for talks but Agard’s agent, Lee Payne, of Full Contact, said discussions broke down, with Leeds unwilling to raise their offer to Agard above a set level.

Payne said: “We just haven’t been able to agree personal terms.

“Leeds were hopeful of getting him signed in time to play (against Middlesbrough) today, but they were keeping their offer within a budget and we couldn’t agree to it.”

United owner Massimo Cellino confirmed that the deal was off and accused Agard of having a “bad attitude.”

Agard, who will be out of contract at the New York Stadium next summer, was the subject of a bid by League One side Bristol City earlier in the week, which the Millers rejected.

He scored 26 goals in all competitions for Rotherham last season, including four in two epic games against Wolves.

Agard scored once in a 3-3 draw at the New York in December, and bagged a hat-trick as the Millers crashed 6-4 at Molineux on a day in April when caution was thrown to the wind and Wolves clinched automatic promotion.

Such bravado is not expected today at such an early juncture in the season, but even so, Evans believes Wolves are a team to be feared in the second tier.

“Both teams are significantly stronger,” said Evans.

“Wolves have strengthened significantly. I really do have a lot of respect for Kenny Jackett and I do genuinely feel they could be a force and could challenge for promotion to the Premier League.

“They’ve got Nouha Dicko who makes the 4-5-1/4-3-3 system they play work perfectly, and Kevin McDonald is a great player.

“The boy (Bakary) Sako is top, top class as well.”