Petit linked to Millers move

Rotherham manager Ronnie Moore has expressed his interest in signing former France international Emmanuel Petit.

The Millers boss is keen to bolster his midfield after crowd favourite Chris Sedgwick made his move to Preston last month, with 36-year-old Petit high on his list of transfer targets.

The former Arsenal star is currently out of contract after leaving Chelsea in the summer and has been training with the Gunners to keep up his fitness levels.

Moore is keen to bring him to the Championship’s bottom club – if he can prove his match fitness.

“We are watching him [Petit] and are looking into the matter,” said Moore. “But at the moment we are looking at his fitness and then we will take it from there, but at as yet no further move for him has been discussed.”

Despite beating Leeds 1-0 on Monday night, the Millers were under pressure throughout and Moore is keen to bring in an experienced player to dominate the midfield.

But he knows he will have to “wheel and deal” in the transfer market after being told that none of the cash received for Sedgwick would be made available for transfer funds – making Petit an ideal target as he would not command a fee.

“None of Sedgy’s money has been made available for me to strengthen the squad. Three players have left [Sedgwick, Richie Barker and Paul Warne] and none have come in so I’m going to have to wheel and deal.

“I’m looking for a midfielder and I am going to have to go for loans and short-term deals because no money is available.”

Sheffield Wednesday are also believed to be interested in Petit but their priorities may have changed after in-form striker Adam Proudlock broke his leg in training which could pave the way for Rotherham to make their move for the French playmaker.