Rotherham United Set £2m Valuation for Sam Nombe as Bolton Wanderers Weigh Up January Move
Rotherham United have reportedly informed Bolton Wanderers that they will need to meet a £2 million valuation if they are to prize striker Sam Nombe away before the January transfer window closes.
As reported by The Bolton News, Wanderers boss Steven Schumacher remains eager to strengthen his attacking options despite already securing the loan signing of Corey Blackett-Taylor from Derby County. The winger has joined Bolton for the second half of the season as the club pushes hard for promotion back to the Championship.
Blackett-Taylor’s arrival adds depth out wide, although his impact at Derby this season has been limited. The 26-year-old has featured nine times in the league for the Rams, starting just twice and registering a single assist. Nevertheless, Bolton view him as a useful addition for the run-in.
Attention has now turned to the possibility of further reinforcements, with Nombe emerging as a key target. The Rotherham forward has enjoyed an impressive return in League One, scoring six goals in 12 appearances for the Millers. He has only recently returned to action after a spell on the sidelines through injury, but his goal record continues to attract interest.
However, Rotherham are standing firm on their valuation. With the final days of the transfer window approaching, they are understood to have set an asking price of £2 million — a figure Bolton are currently reluctant to meet.
As a result, the Whites are also exploring alternative options. An enquiry has reportedly been made for Charlton Athletic forward Rob Apter. The 22-year-old began the season brightly with the Addicks but has since slipped down the pecking order under manager Nathan Jones. Apter has scored once in 13 Championship appearances and has not featured since a substitute outing in Charlton’s 2-1 defeat to Portsmouth on December 29.
With the transfer deadline set for February 2, it remains uncertain whether Bolton will be able to complete a deal for either player. The recent signing of Blackett-Taylor could also influence whether the club presses ahead with further attacking reinforcements.
That said, Schumacher is believed to be keen on adding two or three more players before the window shuts at 7pm on Monday, as Bolton look to maintain momentum in their promotion push. The Whites currently sit third in League One and are next in action away at AFC Wimbledon on January 31, with a 12:30pm kick-off.
From a squad-building perspective, reinforcing the attack makes sense even though loan players Mason Burstow and Amario Cozier-Duberry have performed well. Both are temporary additions, and there is no certainty they will remain at the club beyond this season, making longer-term planning important.
Still, concerns remain over Nombe’s fitness record this campaign, which helps explain Bolton’s hesitation over Rotherham’s £2 million demand. While the fee may seem steep given those issues, his proven goal-scoring ability suggests it could be a calculated gamble worth taking — provided the club are confident his injury problems are behind him.
