Blackburn Rovers will have a busy conclusion to the January transfer window as manager John Eustace wants to bolster his team, with a focus on forwards.
According to journalist Alan Nixon, Blackburn have had an initial proposal rejected for Hibernian winger Elie Youan. They have also considered a move for Plymouth Argyle’s on-loan winger Ibrahim Cissoko.
Since joining Hibernian from St Gallen in 2022, Youan has scored 21 goals and contributed 19 assists in 94 games, including two this season. However, Rovers’ initial offer for the 25-year-old has been rejected.
Cissoko joined Plymouth on loan from Toulouse in the summer and has scored three goals and two assists in 15 games this season. However, he has missed much of the previous few months due to injury and his stay at Home Park could be cut short before the end of the year.
Blackburn is now seventh in the Championship table, just two points from the play-offs. However, they have lost six of their previous nine league games. Eustace has stated that the club is “very close” to completing a couple of major transactions.
| Championship table (as it stands 30th January) | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 1 | Leeds United | 29 | 34 | 60 |
| 2 | Sheffield United | 29 | 19 | 58 |
| 3 | Burnley | 29 | 27 | 56 |
| 4 | Sunderland | 29 | 18 | 55 |
| 5 | West Brom | 29 | 13 | 44 |
| 6 | Middlesbrough | 29 | 11 | 44 |
| 7 | Blackburn Rovers | 29 | 4 | 42 |
| 8 | Bristol City | 29 | 3 | 41 |
Blackburn Rovers fan pundit on Elie Youan and Ibrahim Cissoko speculation
When asked about allegations linking Youan and Cissoko with a move to the club, FLW’s Blackburn Rovers fan analyst Simon Middlehurst said that he would be glad to see either player arrive at Ewood Park, given the critical need for reinforcements in the wide areas.
“To be honest, I wouldn’t mind either,” Simon replied.
“Cissoko from Plymouth would be good because he has Championship experience, but if it was Youan, I believe the standard of the Scottish Premiership is comparable to the Championship, so either would be good.
“We really need wingers.
“At the start of the transfer window, many Blackburn fans believed that a striker and a winger were vitally necessary.
“In regard to targeting better quality players, we have 10 players out injured, so if we get them back fit and add a couple of new signings, I think we could definitely maintain the push until the end of the season.”
Blackburn Rovers should prioritise Ibrahim Cissoko over Elie Youan
There are questions about whether Youan or Cissoko would considerably increase Blackburn’s play-off chances, but the latter would be less risky for Rovers.
Cissoko made a strong start at Home Park, scoring twice in a 3-1 win over Luton Town in September. Although he has struggled to match his early season success, he has demonstrated his ability to perform at Championship level.
Rovers need to acquire a new winger before Monday’s deadline, but they also need to add a striker. Augustus Kargbo from Cesena and Mostafa Mohamed from Nantes are two options.
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