I wonder if this restriction is to ‘encourage’ clubs to use their ESC places on players they intend to go straight into the first eleven. The two other ways to convert to a non ESC continue beyond the initial 12 months - maybe Toth will eventually qualify under one of those.

On transfermarket, there would appear to be a rumour about Colin Rosler, a centre half from Malmo.

Ok thanks. Probably a very small net spend at this point then. Of course if Henriksson or Baradji come in I'd say there'll be a very strong possibility of Trav going the other way so again we'll presumably be substantially in pocket on that exchange.

I think the truth of the matter is the owners decided a good few years ago, before this farce, that they were reducing funding but this reared up out of nowhere. Hence there's never really appeared to be much rush to resolve it or bite the bullet and adhere to the conditions that were set out.

Where is Henriksson?

Guesswork based on Transfermarkt and quoted sums from different media outlets it's pretty even so far. including the Brittain sale, but excluding the Henriksson capture as it's not been confirmed. Probably spent 5-600k more so far. Would expect Henriksson to cost in the 1-1.5 range and add to the spend. https://www.transfermarkt.com/blackburn-rovers/transfers/verein/164/saison_id/2025 Of course all those numbers are uncertain as nothing is disclosed. I would assume they include clauses and installment payments, but that applies to both incoming and outgoing. Don't think any transfer is paid in full upfront anymore.

RW? 😂

after henrikson signs,we surely must recruit a centre forward,even if it`s on loan,we are criminally short of firepower up front

I suppose we will find out one way or the other in January. I still maintain that it would make no sense if esc players can only be switched to a standard work permit after the initial 12 months, and not at another later date. But that is my quarrel with the wording, not with you 🙂 In the meanwhile, hopefully we can move Mafoumbi on and free up a space that way Edit - Although this article seems to think that Sunderland converted Mayender in january 2025 despite signing him in July 2023, so if true, that would indicate a rolling 12 month period is used

I dont think I can remember us ever being almost on the eve of a season so bereft of attacking options. It's going to be brutal without major reinforcement in those areas I fear.

All things considered finishing 7th this season and keeping the play offs alive until the death would be a monumental effort as it was last season to be honest. Yes we should always be aiming for that and season on season they should be building on the previous season, strengthening the weak areas and maintaining or even trying to better the strong areas. However we all know that NEVER happens under this lot, never has, never will they have no desire for it. You should always build from a position of strength it's the only way now for a club like us but this ownership and those running the club always find reason or cause reason for good work to be ruined and start a new journey project chapter (i think we are up to now) It's almost as if borrowings need reducing and people lust for commissions. But whatever i'd rip someones arm out the socket to finish 7th this coming season although i'm pretty sure all arms are safe for now.

They will think of something.

I was going to say, it will be an awkward day for them when the Case does eventually get heard and the remaining restrictions are lifted because the expectation will then be they should send a lot more money across. What excuse not to will they be able to come up with at that point I wonder?

Some posters continue to do this weird routine of "No one knows for certain so you can't say". These same posters abandon this principle whenever it suits them. We aren't here for Mystic Meg shows. We look and we judge. In my view we are slightly weaker than last year

Imagine that. A chorus of Venky’s out, during the next one.

There you go again. You bet your life it was.

Surely that's the whole point of a message board, to give your opinion? I know that as with every window you seem to be trying to quell unrest about the transfer activity for some reason but objectively this time round we've lost a load of players with Championship experience and replaced them with a load of players without any Championship experience therefore it is hardly surprising most people will assume we're a lot weaker.

Matches when a player is injured don’t count towards the calculation. Here’s the link as requested (it is the GBE rules in their entirety): https://www.thefa.com/-/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/registrations/gbe-2025-26/fa-mens-players-gbe-criteria-202526.ashx

That would mean that if for example a player was injured upon signing (ACL in week 1 so something), they could never convert to a GBE, which would make no sense, I presume there are further rules on that document Do you have a link to it?

Nope - see below from the FA doc:

No money's been spent at all (net) has it after selling Brittain and JRC? Genuine question as Im not completely au fait with the figures that have been quoted for the players coming in.

I'm certain its a rolling 12 month period, (but always has to be done in a transfer window )so by Jan 2026, it will be the 12 months prior to Jan 2026 that are used in the calculation Anything else would make no sense whatsoever

It’s not the last 12 months, it’s the 12 months from the GBE being granted.

Yes, as that part of the regulation says play 50% of the minutes (and play in 25% of the games) within the 12 months following the date from which he was granted his GBE. We announced his signing on 30th August and he was on the bench the following day so his year runs out at the end of this month - and he’s currently on 6 matches out of a possible 42.

The Byrds - So You Want To Be A Rock ‘n Roll Star