Rotherham United will soon be planning for life back in England’s third tier after a terrible 2023/24 campaign.
This was the Millers second consecutive season in the Championship after a number of seasons going to and from League One.
But it has been a very disappointing season, as Rotherham have been the poorest side in the division, and it will soon be confirmed that they are playing League One football once again in the 2024/25 campaign.
So, with relegation coming, it is likely that the Millers are going to be busy in the summer with arrivals and exits, as players will be looking to pursue moves as they will want to continue in the second tier.
One Rotherham player who will likely be leaving is goalkeeper Viktor Johansson, who is said to be being looked at by Sheffield United as they try to take advantage of their relegation.
Sheffield United are interested in Viktor Johansson
It was reported earlier this week that Rotherham United goalkeeper Viktor Johansson is being closely watched by Sheffield United.
The Blades are currently trying to retain their Premier League status, but it seems whatever occurs between now and the end of the season, they are looking to strengthen their goalkeeping ranks.
The Blades are said to be admirers of the Millers goalkeeper, but it seems as though they won’t be able to get the player on a cheap deal despite Rotherham’s expected relegation.
In January 2023, the 25-year-old signed a new contract with Rotherham that runs until the summer of 2025.
The Millers were keen to tie him to a new contract, as he was key to their survival last season, and that has continued into this campaign. However, when the new deal was agreed upon, it was done on the basis that there was a release clause in the contract.
According to the Rotherham Advertiser, that clause is worth seven figures, and as well as Sheffield United, they are also expecting interest from Europe.
Rotherham United’s Viktor Johansson contract decision makes perfect sense now
Viktor Johansson was an outstanding player for Rotherham United last season, with the goalkeeper keeping 13 clean sheets in 43 league games.
The Swedish international was a big part of why the club remained in the second tier, so it made perfect sense for the club to tie him down to a new contract.
| Viktor Johansson’s 2023/24 Championship stats for Rotherham United | |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 38 |
| Clean sheets | 4 |
| Goals conceded | 77 |
| Goals conceded per game | 2.0 |
| Saves made | 151 |
| Saves made per game | 4.0 (66%) |
| Goals prevented | -0.78 |
| Average rating | 7.24 |
| As per Sofascore.com (As it stands on the 22nd of March) | |
Johansson hasn’t managed to be as successful this season, with him so far keeping just four clean sheets in 38 league games, but the 25-year-old has continued to be the Millers’ best player.
Johansson is averaging 4.0 saves per game, as he’s made a total of 151 in the Championship so far, as per Sofascore.com.
Disappointingly, the goalkeeper is being let down by his defence, as he’s conceding on average 2.0 goals per game, with the majority of them coming from inside the box.
But Johansson has made an impressive 97 saves inside the box this season and has even created one big chance for his team, per Sofascore.com.
Rotherham’s disappointing season doesn’t fall on the shoulders of Johansson, so come this summer, it is expected that the Swedish international will have teams looking to prize him away from Yorkshire.
Therefore, while Rotherham fans will be disappointed to see one of their best players leave the club, it is working out to be very wise in what the club did when agreeing to a new deal.
This release clause means Rotherham will be guaranteed a rather large fee, and that is crucial for a side that is returning to League One.
The Millers will need all the money they can get, as they are likely going to have to make several signings this summer to replace players and improve the squad.
Leam Richardson will not want to lose his best goalkeeper, but his departure for a decent fee will allow him flexibility in the market, and that will be important as he will want to make necessary changes.
Furthermore, Rotherham agreed to this release clause, so they knew situations like this would mean they have no say, it just means they are guaranteed a large fee, and that is what is important for a team about to be relegated.
