The gossip mill at Blackburn Rovers is heating up as the January transfer season enters its second week.
Following a string of injuries, John Eustace is desperate to add new players to his roster.Yuki Ohashi suffered an ankle injury versus Leeds United, causing him to miss the remainder of January.
Blackburn Rovers is looking for a striker, a wide player (ideally left-sided), and defensive cover following injuries to Hayden Carter and Harry Pickering.
Alan Nixon’s Patreon account has been used to link many players with a potential move to Ewood Park over the weekend.
The Lancashire Telegraph understands that the reported interest in Jeffrey Schlupp is legitimate, but no deals for any players are forthcoming at the time of publication.
Rovers are one of several Championship clubs that have approached Crystal Place regarding a prospective move. Schlupp’s contract is up at the conclusion of the season, and he has only made 11 substitute appearances this season.
The 32-year-old is expected to leave the Eagles in January after appearing as an unused substitute in six of the last seven games. The Rovers recruitment department has spoken with the Premier League team.
However, they are not alone. Other second-tier clubs, including Lancashire rivals Preston North End, are interested, as are teams from Major League Soccer and Holland. Given the number of choices available, no deal is likely to move swiftly.
Similarly, the deal’s structure is unclear. Schlupp might depart on loan or possibly reach an agreement with Palace to join another team permanently. Schlupp’s and the Eagles’ financial situation, as well as the player’s preferences, will ultimately determine his fate.
Schlupp fits the Rovers’ desired left-sided profile. The experienced midfielder has played left-back, left-wing and as a central midfield whilst at Palace.
Another player touted with a move to Rovers this month is Grant Hanley, who left Rovers in 2016 to join Newcastle United.
He has spent the last seven years at Norwich City, who are open to letting him leave in January. The 33-year-old’s game time has been reduced under Johannes Hoff Thorup and with his contract up in the summer, they would be happy to let him go.
However, it’s unlikely that a reunion with Rovers will materialise. Danny Batth and Kyle McFadzean are both older than Hanley but are out of contract this summer. Batth has been an excellent addition, but it is understood that he does not have any clauses in his contract that would require a second year, so that would have to be renegotiated.
Hanley’s wages will not be insignificant and it’s unlikely he’d ever agree to a short-term deal, say to the end of the season, as McFadzean did 12 months ago. As a result, it’s unclear how this would benefit either the player or Blackburn Rovers.
Ryan Kent is also a familiar name to Blackburn Rovers fans. He’s a free agent after leaving Fenerbahce earlier this year and has been linked with a number of clubs.
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