It’s never good when a side loses its star man through injury, but for Rotherham United, Sam Nombe’s hamstring issue may see those eyeing him up for a transfer turn to other targets.
The 26-year-old scored five in the final eight games of the 2024/25 League One campaign under Matt Hamshaw, and opened his account this term with a brace against Port Vale.
Sam Nombe under Matt Hamshaw (League One stats only)
Games
10
Goals
7
Assists
1
Hamshaw was understanding of the fact that their club record signing could move on this summer after showing signs of a breakout year, but an injury sustained in their recent league defeat to Stevenage may put that nerving thought on hold for the time being.
The Millers manager stated that Nombe could face “months rather than weeks” on the sideline, and FLW’s Rotherham fan pundit, Tom Eyre, feels that it may see their striker remain at the club for the rest of the season with the hope of him signing a contract extension soon after.
Rotherham United fan pundit hopeful of Sam Nombe’s future at the club
When asked by Football League World how he felt about Nombe potentially being on the transfer shortlist of other clubs, Eyre said, “I am extremely worried that he will be on the list of Championship and certainly other League One clubs, as well.
“If we do sell, I hope it’d be to a Championship club, as if we lose our prized asset to another League One club, it’ll be truly devastating.”
Rotherham didn’t make the best account for themselves in the 2023/24 Championship season, finishing 24 points adrift of safety, and Nombe only netted three times in that campaign. However, his goal-scoring exploits last season, especially in the latter months, make people feel that he could hack the step-up once more.
“After suffering an injury against Stevenage, which, according to Matt Hamshaw, will see him sidelined for months, however, it’s subsided that fear a little bit on the premise that a team won’t want to go out and buy a player who’d be unavailable,” he continued.
“That realistically will keep him in our capacity for the remainder of the season, but Nombe is a fantastic player, and with two years on his contract, sooner rather than later, we’re going to have to consider selling or extending his contract.”
Eyre hopes that it’s the latter, as Nombe has shown real promise under Hamshaw, and could fire the goals to get Rotherham back to challenging where they’d expect to be in League One.
“I’d love for him to sign a contract extension, but sometimes a goalscorer such as himself brings in a lot of money.
“That money could be used in a beneficial way.”
A Sam Nombe sale could leave Rotherham United in a healthy position
Nombe arrived at the AESSEAL New York Stadium for a club-record fee, as Rotherham paid Exeter City a reported £1 million for his services.
Therefore, if the 26-year-old were to leave the club any time soon, you’d expect the Millers to aim to make a profit on him, especially if he was to return from his injury with the same form in front of goal that he’s exhibited under Matt Hamshaw so far during his tenure as Rotherham boss.
For any League One side, receiving a seven-figure fee for a player presents a good opportunity to bolster the side in a number of different positions, as Eyre alluded to.
The ideal scenario would be that Nombe stays, of course, but if he were to be sold, Rotherham would have to ensure that they receive as close to their valuation as possible.
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