By Dan Marsh
Viktor Johansson is set to spark a summer transfer scramble due to a £750,000 release clause in his Rotherham contract.
The Sweden international, 25, is widely regarded as one of the Championship's most consistent goalkeepers despite Rotherham's poor form and will be highly sought-after at the end of the season after attracting interest in the January window.
Mirror Football understands that clubs are already jostling in anticipation of making a move for Johansson in the knowledge he will be available for a bargain six-figure fee.
The former Leicester City man was heavily linked with Sheffield United in January but neither he nor the Millers had any desire to agree to a mid-season move given the impact it would have on the club's attempts to remain in the second-tier. The Blades eventually signed Ivo Grbic in a £2million deal from Atletico Madrid.
Johansson has retained suitors in both the Premier League and the Championship ahead of the summer and with just a year remaining on his current deal, there is an acceptance he will now be sold following confirmation of Rotherham's return to League One.
Johansson was once again the Millers' standout performer in a rotten campaign which has seen Leam Richardson's side accumulate just 23 points from 42 matches.
Rotherham's relegation was confirmed a week ago following a narrow 1-0 loss against fellow strugglers Plymouth Argyle.
Richardson, who succeeded Matt Taylor as head coach in December, vowed that the Millers would return stronger following relegation, telling Sky Sports: "It's very, very disappointing. As I've said in previous interviews, you feel straight away for the fans.
"In my view, in competitive sport, your habits always catch up to your performances and from pre-season, from the first game onwards, this club has been chasing its tail a little bit and the writing has been on the wall for some time. It was just a matter of when and if.
"It's a tough pill to swallow right now, but we've been there before and we've always come back stronger. It's important we come together in many forms, in many departments around the football club."
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