Rotherham United boss Steve Clarke responds to Jordan Hugill, Plymouth Argyle rumours

Steve Evans acknowledges that the Greens have not yet contacted him about a possible trade for the striker.

The Rotherham Advertiser reports that Steve Evans, the manager of Rotherham United, has downplayed any rumors that striker Jordan Hugill might be joining Plymouth Argyle.

The former Stevenage manager disclosed that after moving to the New York Stadium in January 2023, the club had not gotten in touch with Devon regarding the availability of their striker.

The goal of the Pilgrims, led by former Manchester United player Wayne Rooney, is to close deals early in the summer. Full-back Nathanael Ogbeta has already left the team after being released by Swansea City.

Signing a striker will be a top priority for those at Home Park over the off-season, as the Greens struggled to score goals in the second part of the season. However, Evans acknowledges that no discussions have yet taken place regarding their 32-year-old goal scorer.

Rotherham United boss Steve Evans plays down Jordan Hugill, Plymouth Argyle links

During his tenure with the Yorkshire team, Hugill has scored ten league goals. He also contributed several crucial goals to the team’s survival in the Championship during the 22–23 season.

With just five goals from his 39 league games, the former Preston North End player found last season to be a more difficult prospect as United concluded the season with just five wins.

Despite social media rumors, Argyle has not expressed any firm interest in the player as of yet. However, the Greens will probably be trying to make up for their clumsy actions during the last few months of the previous season, which led to their own relegation struggle.

The Devon team’s lack of creativity and firepower after the departure of former manager Steven Schumacher was evident as they failed to score more than once in any of their final 12 league games of the season.

Although Evans maintains that a deal for Hugill is improbable at this time, Rooney is the man tasked with helping Argyle find their rhythm in front of goal for the upcoming campaign. Rooney will be intent on bringing a new striker or two to the club.

“I read the reports and so I spoke to Jordan and he intimated to me that he wasn’t aware of anything and if he did he would let me know as a matter of professional respect,” the man stated to the Rotherham Advertiser.

“In the few time I’ve known Jordan, I’ve discovered that he’s a really nice boy and, based on referrals from folks like David Moyes, a really honest young man.

“Wayne Rooney is yet to establish himself as a manager, despite being a legendary player. Wayne is someone I know; he has my number, and I have no doubt that he will call if he’s interested.

“As a club, we will decide what to do on that one if Plymouth wants to have some dialogue.”

Steve Evans wastes no time in adding new recruits after Rotherham United return

Evans left Stevenage in April and secured a stunning return to the New York Stadium. Ahead of his team’s assault on League One in the forthcoming season, Evans has already made a lot of preparations.

Since leaving the Championship, the Millers have welcomed seven new players to their roster. Jonson Clarke-Harris, pictured above, has also rejoined the Yorkshire team following his release from Peterborough United.

Hugill may be available for the Pilgrims to sign as a result of that trade, and if both of the seasoned attackers stay at the team, they will likely compete for the first-team spot.

Along with former Northampton Town player Shaun McDonald, Clarke-Harris will be joined by fellow newcomers Reece James and Liam Kelly from Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry City, respectively.

This summer, Joe Powell, the playmaker for Burton Albion, and Joe Rafferty and Sean Raggett, who both saw promotion from League One during the previous season, will join them at Rotherham.