Le Fondre wanting new deal as Rotherham United reject bid

Millers chairman Tony Stewart has made it clear that Le Fondre will not be sold on the cheap and, with money short outside the Premier League, there is limited chance of anyone meeting the club's 3m asking price.

Le Fondre, 23, bagged 30 goals for the Millers last season and is wanted by a host of clubs, including Barnsley, Derby County and Plymouth Argyle.

The Millers, however, are under no pressure to sell and Le Fondre, who recently notched his first hat-trick for the club, still has over 18 months remaining on his contract.

But agent Jesse Learoyd-Hill, who represents Le Fondre, last night told the Yorkshire Post that the time was right to strengthen that relationship.

"If nothing happens (before the deadline), and I would be very surprised if it does, Adam will be looking to sign a new deal," he said. "It will be in the best interests of both parties to sit down now and talk because Adam has done very well for the club."

The Millers paid just 100,000 to sign Le Fondre from Rochdale last summer but the striker's exploits have transformed him into one of the hottest properties outside the top two divisions.

Last night, Millers chairman Stewart confirmed that Plymouth had offered former Barnsley striker Rory Fallon in part-exchange for Le Fondre but the bid had been rejected 'in seconds'.

By his own admission, Millers manager Ronnie Moore is still keen on Fallon but does not want to lose Le Fondre.

Moore is also hoping to wrap up a 30,000 deal for his son, Tranmere Rovers striker Ian Thomas-Moore before the 6pm deadline.

Stewart said: "Unless someone comes in with something ridiculous, we are not interested in selling Adam Le Fondre. But if someone comes in with a serious offer, we will look at it, look at the club, and make a decision.

"As far as I am aware, Adam is enjoying playing his football for Rotherham United and has not expressed a desire to leave," he added. "The offer from Plymouth was dismissed in seconds."

Former Millers manager Mark Robins, in charge of Championship side Barnsley, would love to sign Le Fondre but may need to offload striker Iain Hume first.

The Canadian international, who cost 1.2m from Leicester City two summers ago, has been unable to hold down a first-team place since recovering from a fractured skull in November, 2008 and has not started a game this season.

Preston North End lead the chase for Hume's signature and a swap deal involving former Barnsley striker Jon Parkin is a possibility.

Both Tranmere Rovers and Brighton and Hove Albion have also been linked with Hume but the player would prefer not to drop into League One.

Tonight's deadline will put a stop to permanent transfer deals until January 1, although clubs outside the Premier League can start making emergency loans again in seven days' time.

New rules limiting the size of Premier League squads to 25 players are in effect for the first time this season and appear to have slowed down movement in the transfer market.

Clubs in the Football League know they will be able to pick up players frozen out by top-flight clubs on cheap loan deals and are subsequently holding back for now.

Sheffield United manager Gary Speed has been linked with a possible loan move for former Bramall Lane favourite Michael Tonge.

Midfielder Tonge, who was sold to Stoke City for 2m two years ago, has never settled at the Britannia Stadium and was loaned to both Preston and Derby County last season.

"We don't want to lose anybody and if we can add one or two, fine – but if we don't, it won't be the end of the world," said Speed. "If we have everyone fit, we have a strong squad but injuries can upset us so I will be hoping to bring at least one in."

Sheffield Wednesday striker Marcus Tudgay has been the subject of two failed bids from Premier League new boys Blackpool in the last few weeks but the Seasiders have now signed Derby County's Luke Varney who, ironically, was on loan at Hillsborough last season.

Varney scored on his Premier League debut against Fulham at the weekend and manager Ian Holloway may feel that strengthening other areas of the squad are a greater priority.