Rotherham must seal a deal to sign Cambridge United striker Paul Mullin this summer after Bristol Rovers pulled out of the race, their fans would love it.

What's the talk?

Rovers have reportedly pulled out of the race to sign Mullin on a free transfer. According to the Bristol Post, they have been forced to exit the running for his signature as they have been priced out of a deal for the Cambridge frontman.

The report claims that both Rotherham and Plymouth Argyle are still battling it out to sign Mullin as they attempt to bolster their attacking units ahead of next season.

Mullin signed a one-year contract with Cambridge last summer and now appears set to depart from the club at the end of the month. Despite helping Mark Bonner's side seal promotion to League One, Mullin is yet to extend his deal at the club and this opens the door to Rotherham, and other interested parties, to make a move for the forward.

Earlier this season, Cambridge boss Mark Bonner heaped praise on the  “outstanding” Mullin for his start to the campaign, hailing his exceptional goal return. He told InYourArea:

“He’s had an outstanding start to the season.

“To be nominated in month one and then win it in month two is a real credit to him. He’s continued that momentum.

“He’ll be looking forward to and be desperate to get back on the pitch to try and continue his good form, and try and continue to help us develop and improve.

“He’ll be the first one to credit players around him for creating opportunities and everything else, but his goal return has been exceptional in the short period that we’ve played so far, and his overall contribution to the games have been excellent."

Fans would love it

Rotherham fans should be delighted if the club managed to bring in Mullin on a free transfer. Paul Warne's side struggled for goals in the Championship as they suffered relegation back to League One, with Michael Smith's tally of 10 goals in 44 games the best any of his attackers provided at that level. Matt Crooks, six, and Freddie Ladapo, nine, were the only other Rotherham players who scored more than three goals in the league.

Mullin, meanwhile, plundered a sensational 32 goals for Cambridge in League Two to lead them to promotion in the 2020/21 campaign. The £800-per-week striker averaged an impressive WhoScored rating of 7.00 in 45 starts for Cambridge as he was directly involved in an eye-catching 36 league goals. This suggests that he could bring the goalscoring touch Rotherham have been lacking to help to fire Warne's team back to the second tier at the first time of asking.

At the age of 26, Mullin could also still have his best years ahead of him. The attacker is now entering what should be the peak of his career and Rotherham could snap up the goal machine in his prime to lead their line for the next three or four seasons if he is able to translate his form to a higher level.

Fans should love this deal as they could be getting a star striker who could improve their chances of promotion whilst paying nothing for his signature.

AND in other news, Rotherham receive big boost in bid to sign 21 y/o beast, he'd be great for Warne