Ben Whiteman himself will be key to how his transfer saga plays out: Liam Hoden's Doncaster Rovers column

Activity early in the window from interested parties appearing serious at the negotiating table, setting up potentially weeks of speculation, maneuvering and tension - it has been somewhat surprising we have not been in this situation before with the Rovers skipper.

But here, in January 2021, it is where we are.

Rovers have rejected bids from Preston North End and Queens Park Rangers for Whiteman.

It is understood that, of the two, only Preston - who tabled a small package of add-ons in their offer - are set to continue with their pursuit.

The Lancashire side however remain some way off matching Rovers’ valuation for a player who has emerged as the most important in the side over the last three seasons.

How the situation will progress from here remains to be seen - hence the tension.

With a considerable discrepancy between the offers on the table and the valuation set by Rovers, arguably the biggest influence on the direction of the situation will be Whiteman himself.

His intentions and desires for this month will be an important factor in which club he will be under employment with at the start of February.

Rovers have consistently said over the last few years that they will not stand in the way of players who want to leave. The caveat to that is they will want to be sufficiently compensated if a departure is to happen.

With two-and-a-half years left on Whiteman’s contract, Rovers have the cushion of time and the fact his value will not diminish between now and the summer. It gives them a sense of strength in negotiations.

But if Whiteman was to angle for a move, or perhaps submit a transfer request, the club would then find themselves in a position where their grip on their own valuation would begin to slacken.

It is clear the opportunity to remain within commutable distance from his Greater Manchester home - preferably cutting his daily journey time - is an attractive prospect.

That fact is understood to have been made clear to clubs in the south who have shown interest in him in recent months.

Whiteman has also made no secret of his desire to play in the Championship as soon as possible. He declared that fact publicly as recent as November, adding that ideally he would do so with Rovers.

Also playing into his feelings will be his thoughts about the sustainability and strength of the interest in him.

As a 24-year-old, he should only improve, particularly given the consistent upturn he has been on since arriving at Rovers in the summer of 2017. In the four months of this season so far, the acceleration of his progress has been remarkable.

What is baffling is that the interest in such a player has not been anywhere near as strong as you might expect, certainly when it reaches the point of lodging a bid.

More than a dozen clubs had shown interest in Whiteman heading into the January 2020 window but only a handful have since made that concrete by making an offer.

As things stand right now there is a bidding club that ticks plenty of boxes - one with a good deal of stability, a respected manager and whose style will suit him.

How that sits with Whiteman and his thoughts on the future flow of interest could be key in his actions this month.

Without winning promotion at the Keepmoat, a departure for Whiteman within the next year seems to be inevitable.

Rovers’ best course of action may be to urge their captain to stay put this season and drive the push for promotion in which he has played such a major role so far. If they are not successful - or maybe even if they are - and Whiteman wishes to leave in the summer, tell him they would not stand in his way.

It was the approach taken with John Marquis two years ago when it became clear he felt his time with Rovers was up.

But on this occasion Rovers would reach the summer with a player still having two years on his contract, ensuring they retained bargaining power to land a fee as close to their valuation as possible - an amount that could rise if things go well in the next few months.

Sitting fourth in the table, eight points off top spot with two games in hand and having shown excellent form prior to their unfortunate post-Christmas break, Rovers are in a superb position.

Losing their captain in the next three weeks would rock the foundations of that standing.

In Darren Moore’s system, Whiteman is undoubtedly the most important component.

That factor was highlighted during the period when teams began to target the midfielder and shut him out of the game, sending Rovers into a sticky period of results.

And it is no coincidence that there has been an upsurge in form since he began to shake off such close attention to get back to dominating midfield battles.

His goalscoring, in a side where the goals have been spread around thinly this term, has been important too, on top of his stunning passing range, combative nature and born-leadership skills.

His shoes would be huge to fill, especially if anyone was required to do so mid way through a season with little margin for error.

Such a fact will be a considerable factor in Rovers’ determination to retain their captain - or at the very least get the compensation they feel is just.

What is true is that the concrete interest in Whiteman has never been as strong, nor has a suitor shown as much determination to get the transfer done.

The tension will not stop until this situation in January is resolved, one way or another.

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In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.