Rotherham United are among the clubs considering a move for departing Watford striker Tobi Adeyemo, but the Millers are not alone in the race for the free agent.
The 21-year-old is due to leave Vicarage Road when his contract expires at the end of June, opening the door for a summer move after a frustrating few years on the edge of Watford’s first-team picture.
According to the Watford Observer, Rotherham and Newport County are both potential destinations for the forward, while League One side AFC Wimbledon are also looking at the player. Scottish Premiership outfit Motherwell have made contact, and there is further interest from another club in Europe.
For Rotherham, it would be a move that fits the sort of market many EFL clubs are expected to explore this summer. Adeyemo would arrive without a transfer fee, has Championship experience with Watford, and is still at an age where clubs will feel there is room for development.
League One Interest Adds Competition
The complication for Rotherham is the level of competition around the player. AFC Wimbledon’s interest gives Adeyemo a possible route into League One, which may appeal if he is weighing up where his next step should be taken.
Motherwell also offer something different, with Scottish Premiership football and the chance to restart away from the EFL, albeit at a mixed level. That mix of options means Rotherham may need to present a clear pathway to regular football if their interest develops into a firm move.
Adeyemo’s Watford career began with one memorable moment. He scored on his league debut against Blackpool in January 2023, a goal that briefly pushed him into the limelight at the club and placed him in the Watford record books.
It did not become the start of a sustained breakthrough. Injuries disrupted his progress, and he made only a handful of further senior appearances for the Hornets before opportunities began to dry up.
Loan Spell Put Him Back In View
The forward spent the second half of the 2025/26 campaign on loan at Crawley Town, scoring once as the club survived in League Two. More importantly, he started Crawley’s final seven matches, giving interested clubs a more recent look at him in senior football.
Watford’s decision to withdraw their Under-21 side from official competition ahead of next season also reduced the likelihood of Adeyemo remaining around the club without a clear senior role. A clean break now looks the sensible outcome for all parties.
For Rotherham, the question is whether Adeyemo represents a player ready to contribute immediately or one who would need time and patience. There is talent there, and the free-agent status makes the deal easier to explore, but the interest from elsewhere means this is unlikely to be a straightforward pursuit.
The Millers have been named in the chase. Whether they can push ahead of clubs offering higher-level football, or a different environment entirely, may depend on how strongly they sell the opportunity for Adeyemo to rebuild with regular minutes.
