ROTHERHAM UNITED REMAIN hopeful of completing a deal to sign Richie Towell from Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion.

However, manager Paul Warne admits that the Millers haven’t made much progress lately in their bid to snap up the Irish midfielder.

While on loan at Rotherham last season, Towell scored six times in 46 appearances as they secured promotion to the Championship.

The 27-year-old Dubliner returned to Brighton for pre-season but he’s likely to face an uphill battle to force his way into Chris Hughton’s plans, having made just five first-team appearances for Albion since joining the club from Dundalk in January 2016.

Discussions between Rotherham and Brighton have continued over the course of the summer, but a deal has yet to be reached as Warne’s side prepare to begin their campaign in England’s second tier away to Brentford tomorrow afternoon.

“I believe we spoke to Brighton [on Wednesday],” the Rotherham boss told the Yorkshire Post. “There have been ongoing talks with his agent. If we can’t make it work for both parties, as with every signing, it won’t happen.

“I don’t believe we are much closer than we were a month ago. That doesn’t mean I have given up hope that it could happen, but it doesn’t seem any more likely.”

Towell, who was named PFAI Player of the Year after scoring 29 times for Dundalk in the 2015 season, is also reportedly a target for League One club Portsmouth.

The transfer window for permanent deals in the UK is due to close on Thursday, although clubs will still be permitted to complete loan deals until the end of August.

Warne said: “If someone comes in and buys [Towell] it’s game over. If it goes beyond the window, an opportunity for a loan, then we still have a chance to get him.

“But at the moment it feels like a bit of a stalemate to me.”

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