Rotherham United have rejected Ipswich Town's opening bid of £400k bid for midfielder Matt Crooks, reports the Rotherham Advertiser.

The EADT and Ipswich Star revealed that Crooks was a prime transfer target for boss Paul Cook earlier this month and then reported that the Blues were ready to make their move earlier this week.

Now, according to a report in South Yorkshire, the Millers have knocked back Town's opening offer of £400k, adding that it falls 'way, way below' what they consider him to be worth.

Manager Paul Warne said: "We don’t want to lose our best assets, even more so not to a League One rival. That would make it ridiculous.

“However, as with everything, there is a figure where it becomes impossible not to let it happen. As far as I am aware, no one is anywhere near that figure yet.”

Crooks played a key role in Rotherham's League One promotion of 2019/20 and provided seven goals and three assists in their Championship relegation season just gone.

The 27-year-old, who has second-tier suitors in Derby, Peterborough and Middlesbrough, now heads into the final year of his contract at the New York Stadium.