Bristol City have made a late move for long-term striker transfer target Michael Smith, Bristol Live understands.
The Robins have been monitoring the Rotherham front-man all summer and have waited patiently to try and secure one of their key transfer targets of the window.
Nigel Pearson explained early in the summer that he was keen to bring in five positions, and a centre-forward was named as one of those.
The Robins brought in three new recruits - Matty James and Andy King on free transfers, and shelled out a fee of around £1.6m for up-and-coming defender Rob Atkinson, as well as re-signed Nathan Baker to strengthen in central defence.
And Pearson has since played down the chances of another player arriving this window, in particular the other forward that he would like to bring in to replace Famara Diedhiou, who departed in the summer at the end of his contract.
Bristol City have monitored other strikers this summer, but Smith of Rotherham fits the profile of what the side from Ashton Gate are looking for.
The North East native has been tracked by Middlesbrough this window too, but the West Country men are hopeful of pipping Neil Warnock at the post, with the Teessiders currently looking at other transfer targets.
Warnock has spoken of bringing in a forward from abroad, believed to be Sporting forward Andraz Sporar (who was offered to Bristol City 18 months ago as a potential signing), while new Boro recruit Uche Ikpeazu has started the season well, scoring against Bristol City recently in the game at the Riverside Stadium.
City have bided their time in the chase for Smith - having tracked the powerhouse attacker, as reported all summer by Bristol Live - and having allowed Adam Nagy to join Serie B side AC Pisa, the Robins have now freed up room in the wage budget for another recruit.
The 29-year-old is seen at the peak of his powers and has been in good form for the Millers in League One this season. Indeed the respected WhoScored.com website rates Smith as one of the best players in the division currently (second only to Vadaine Oliver of Gillingham of current League One forwards), based upon their Opta-stats-powered rankings.
Smith has netted once and grabbed an assist in his four League One games so far this campaign, with a stunning 40-yard drive from range winning the South Yorkshire team's recent trip to Morecambe.
The 6ft3' spearhead would be able to offer a physical option in attack for Bristol City and compete with Chris Martin to play as the focal point for Bristol City attacks. Any injury for Martin would leave the Robins short of someone who can naturally hold the ball up and create space for others.
Andi Weimann, Nahki Wells and Sam Bell - who scored two goals in midweek for the U23s against Wigan Athletic in midweek - will complement Martin and Smith's aerial prowess and natural power in attack.
A transfer is not agreed for the striker yet, though the Robins have a very good relationship with Millers boss Paul Warne and are hopeful that they can close a deal in the next days before the end of the transfer window, with a bid of around £1.5m.
“His efforts are pretty phenomenal at the club. Everyone knows what he does but he probably doesn't get the goals that his play deserves so for him to score a goal like that I am really chuffed," said Warne to the Rotherham Advertiser of Smith's blockbuster goal against the Shrimps.
“I spoke to him earlier, he has seen players leave this club all the time and he always seems to be the last toy on the shelf, but if he keeps scoring goals like that he is going to be difficult to keep hold of.”
The next few days will see Warne and Rotherham's resolution tested once more as that toy is in big demand.
