Blackburn Rovers’ clear ‘we know what need’ transfer message

Next up: centre forward.

“You’re clever, like me, so we know exactly what we need.”

Those were the words of Jon Dahl Tomasson when looking ahead to the upcoming transfer window in the wake of missing out on the play-offs on goal difference.

“I’m thinking about missing out on goal difference because of a lack of goals,” he later added.

Yet for the second time in three years, Rovers will have to replace their top scorer.

In 2021, Adam Armstrong’s replacement, following his £15m move to Southampton, came from within.

Ben Brereton stepped into that void, but has now himself departed after 38 goals in the last two years, on a free transfer.

Rovers thought they had secured a long-term option in attack last summer.

Attempts to try and sign George Hirst on a permanent deal weren’t successful, though a loan to buy agreement was.

Yet Hirst’s struggles in the first half of his season-long loan deal saw that ripped up, the striker later loaned to Ipswich Town after failing to find the net in 11 appearances for Rovers.

The 24-year-old went on to score seven times for Ipswich, helping them secure promotion to the Championship, and his future will come into question again this summer, not least given his parent club have been relegated, but it won’t be involving Rovers.

Hirst was declared as Rovers’ No.1 striking target last summer, though such claims are likely to be reined in this time around.

Niall Ennis has arrived as the first signing of the summer, a free transfer on a long-term deal also after enjoying a productive season in League One.

Such deals are the market Rovers are in, and the hope will be that working under Tomasson can help the 24-year-old make the step-up to the Championship.

While Rovers’ failings on deadline day largely focused on the inability of getting the Lewis O’Brien and Ethan Brierley deals over the line, for Tomasson the greater disappointment was the failure to bring in a striker.

Hirst was allowed to return to Leicester in the first week of January, but the next three went by without a replacement brought in.

There were frustrations along the way, deals were drawn up for Deniz Undav (Brighton & Hove Albion) and Ibrahima Kone (FC Lorient) only for both to opt to stay with their respective clubs where they finished the season getting regular minutes and seven goals.

Neither will be on the shopping list this time around, while deadline day pursuits of other players fell down.

It is why the signing of Ennis is positive in that is a forward option and also an early deal to help regain trust following the disappointment of January.

Cardiff City are yet to release their retained list, with out-of-contract attacker Mark Harris having previously been linked to Rovers, with the player known to former head of recruitment Gus Williams.

Rovers have distanced themselves from links with a move for Hibs striker Kevin Nisbet, while links to Portsmouth’s Colby Bishop have largely centred around Tomasson watching their game at Accrington Stanley in January.

AFC Wimbledon striker Ali Al-Hamadi, who netted 10 goals in 19 League One games, is a player Rovers have watched, but he still has two years left on his contract having only joined the club in January so would come at a cost.

Sory Kaba scored seven times for Cardiff in a loan spell from Danish side FC Midtjylland in the second half of the season, and could be an option should be made available again.

Liam Delap (Manchester City) was at Stoke City and Preston North End on loan last season, but was a player of interest to Rovers, while Tom Cannon, who all had a spell at Deepdale, has been linked as a potential target.

Rovers have strong links with Brighton, and Irishman Andy Moran will likely come on the radar should the 19-year-old be made available for loan after scoring 10 times in Premier League 2 last season.

Tomasson was keen to have someone with the ability to run in behind opposition defences, which Ennis will provide, but equally competition for Sam Gallagher will be key.

Gallagher is yet to hit double figures for goals in the four seasons since his permanent transfer, but contributes more with his all-round game, not least given the final day win over Millwall was just the second time Rovers won a game when the 27-year-old didn’t start.

He is Rovers’ most experienced attacker, but is into the final 12 months of his contract, though Rovers do have the option to extend by a further year should they wish.

Gallagher started 27 of the 46 Championship games last season, used as a central striker more as the season goes on, and is the only player in the squad of such a profile, so an out-and-out No.9 is essential.

Jack Vale enjoyed a strong pre-season last summer, two goals and an assists helping him earn a starting spot on the opening day.

The 22-year-old scored twice in three games at the end of 2022, but those were his only strikes in 22 appearances of a season that was cut short by injury.

The Wales youth international was given the tough task of leading the line on his own, and often sent on from the bench to help see games out, but after landing a long-term deal at the end of last year, will be hoping to be around the squad once again.

Harry Leonard’s development is the one the club are keeping a close eye on.

The teenage striker got his opportunity late in the season after a prolific season for the Academy sides when he netted over 20 goals for the Academy sides for the second year running.

Leonard is a goalscorer and a natural No.9 and has learned a lot from working under Tomasson.

The decision will be made as to whether it’s better served for him to continue developing at the club, and being around the squad, or if a loan move would help bring his game on.

Further down the Academy ranks, Junior Nsangou is moving into the second-year of his scholarship having scored nine times for the Under-18s in 2022/23.

A livewire in attack, the 17-year-old will be hoping to make a step-up to the Under-21s next season, following the departure of Sam Burns, and earn himself a professional contract.

He has been with the club since Under-9s and one to monitor.