2025 Summer Transfer Thread. 😂

[Ossydave]

Seems to be am obvious strategy with the transfers this summer of targeting players from relegated teams, unless its pure coincidence of course.

They really ought to change the filters on the scouting software a bit now though and get a striker and centre half in 🤞

You'd expect we get probably 2 or 3 loan players in, so no sure how many, if any, more permanent signings we'll make....

[alex l]

1 hour ago, Fraserkirky said:

Can’t think of any slower professional FB I’ve ever seen. Good on the ball though. 

Salgado was a huge worry for his first couple of months. Thankfully he and the team adapted and he didn't put a blotch on his career. 

#HeCameFromRealMadrid #HeDidntCostAQuid

[Upside Down]

57 minutes ago, alex l said:

Salgado was a huge worry for his first couple of months. Thankfully he and the team adapted and he didn't put a blotch on his career. 

#HeCameFromRealMadrid #HeDidntCostAQuid

Agreed, Pickering is not bad maybe just lacks pace but if the manager is onto it he can adapt things when a team starts to target him. That's usually where Hedges comes in most useful is providing that double up cover.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

8 hours ago, JCRovers said:

Stated earlier in this thread that I thought Ismael would play with a back three this season. Still think this will be the case but let's see in the upcoming friendlies how they shape up.

Stick with 4-2-3-1: Currently there are big gaps to fill on the wings as well as a need for backup for position behind the striker where Cantwell usually plays. Expect Travis, Buckley and maybe even Pickering to leave if that is to happen.

Change to 3-4-2-1: No need to go for attacking wingers in the transfer market but central defence will need to be strengthened instead. Expect Buckley to leave nevertheless. Hedges will find it difficult to get game time as he's not suited for any of the midfield roles.

 

I just don't see where the goals come from in either formation.  We still need a right winger and another striker.

[Lancaster Rover]

Travis, Tronstad and Brittain are all leaving regardless of what formation Ismael is or isn’t playing 

[Emerald Isle Rover]

6 hours ago, Exiled_Rover said:

Unsurprisingly the teams that are willing to spend the most on loans are the luckiest. 

Not in all cases it obviously helps if you can afford a significant loan fee/wages (in our position I’d find that a waste personally given the likelihood they return to the parent club) 

Brereton Diaz would have been deemed a failure by sheff u fans

Rob holding little impact either 

men as and Louie Barry both season ending injuries 

Iheanacho for boro was poor / doak was excellent but missed the last 15 or so games so there needs to be luck 

[Emerald Isle Rover]

21 minutes ago, Lancaster Rover said:

Travis, Tronstad and Brittain are all leaving regardless of what formation Ismael is or isn’t playing 

A friendly wager that all 3 don’t leave this summer window?

[Scotty1991]

If you listen to any of the new signings in their official club interviews, they all sound like they’re completely baffled they’ve been offered a deal 🤣 

The new RB sounds absolutely perplexed he’s here 🤣🤣🤣

[BankEnd Rover]

7 minutes ago, Scotty1991 said:

If you listen to any of the new signings in their official club interviews, they all sound like they’re completely baffled they’ve been offered a deal 🤣 

The new RB sounds absolutely perplexed he’s here 🤣🤣🤣

I noticed that 😂 I really enjoyed listening to Alebiosu's interview though, something very refreshing about it.

 

[47er]

58 minutes ago, Emerald Isle Rover said:

Brereton Diaz would have been deemed a failure by sheff u fans

Hm--he wasn't great success but that doesn't mean Exiled's point isn't valid.

You may have missed it but Sheff U went up!

EDIT---shit! I forgot! And I watched the game!!

They got as close as it gets though!

Going away to hide for a few hours!!!

So the point now is, it doesn't matter how much you spend on loans, you won't go up!

We should do well.

Edited Friday at 07:44 by 47er

[KentExile]

5 minutes ago, 47er said:

You may have missed it but Sheff U went up!

Are you living in an alternate universe? 😉 

 

[Emerald Isle Rover]

5 minutes ago, 47er said:

Hm--he wasn't great success but that doesn't mean Exiled's point isn't valid.

You may have missed it but Sheff U went up!

Didn’t miss his point I acknowledged that paying higher is likely to result in better results but it requires luck 

and you may have missed it……they didn’t go up!!!!!

[roversfan99]

3 hours ago, Fraserkirky said:

Can’t think of any slower professional FB I’ve ever seen. Good on the ball though. 

Impressed, we have spent more than I guessed going into the first preseason game. The Baradj guy looks like a new cult hero type, absolute Nzonzi unit. Looks like he can play too.

Would imagine Buckley out the door next, would be a very good league 1, CM orchestrator.

Al Saharfi RW Loan with Option

Kaupedi CB Buy

Marc Guiu ST Loan from Chelsea

Sell Buckley/Garett

I would be happy with that, would consider that to be a stronger squad than what we had 12months ago.

Kapuadi and Al Sahafi would both require ESC slots. Seems uncertain if we have 1 left but certainly not 2.

[oldjamfan1]

31 minutes ago, 47er said:

Hm--he wasn't great success but that doesn't mean Exiled's point isn't valid.

You may have missed it but Sheff U went up!

They really didn’t 

[lraC]

31 minutes ago, 47er said:

Hm--he wasn't great success but that doesn't mean Exiled's point isn't valid.

You may have missed it but Sheff U went up!

Quick, add nearly to that, when no one is looking.

[47er]

4 minutes ago, oldjamfan1 said:

They really didn’t 

Edited!!

[joey_big_nose]

Have to say I am very surprised by the amounts we are reported to be spending and getting the business done so early. Doesnt make sense with our understanding of our financial situation at all.. . If we had this sort of money we surely would have got one of Dolan, Travis, Tronstad or Brittain tied down? 

If the numbers are accurate only explanation is we have got a good budget but being very constrained on wage limits.

Seems to continue the theme of Rovers surprising us over the last few years.

[MarkBRFC]

19 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Kapuadi and Al Sahafi would both require ESC slots. Seems uncertain if we have 1 left but certainly not 2.

Al Sahafi would definitely need one.

Kapuadi we're not sure about, Any Watson said on the 17th June that he would qualify due to his european minutes, but has said today that he wouldn't qualify.

We have no ESC spots left after Baradji signs.

[KentExile]

5 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

Al Sahafi would definitely need one.

Kapuadi we're not sure about, Any Watson said on the 17th June that he would qualify due to his european minutes, but has said today that he wouldn't qualify.

We have no ESC spots left after Baradji signs.

According to this, he may not, 

IF his loan club is taken as his last club rather than his parent club

 

 

Edited Friday at 07:53 by KentExile

[chaddyrovers]

3 minutes ago, MarkBRFC said:

Al Sahafi would definitely need one.

Kapuadi we're not sure about, Any Watson said on the 17th June that he would qualify due to his european minutes, but has said today that he wouldn't qualify.

We have no ESC spots left after Baradji signs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited Friday at 07:51 by chaddyrovers

[Penwortham Blue]

4 hours ago, Fraserkirky said:

Can’t think of any slower professional FB I’ve ever seen. Good on the ball though. 

Impressed, we have spent more than I guessed going into the first preseason game. The Baradj guy looks like a new cult hero type, absolute Nzonzi unit. Looks like he can play too.

Would imagine Buckley out the door next, would be a very good league 1, CM orchestrator.

Al Saharfi RW Loan with Option

Kaupedi CB Buy

Marc Guiu ST Loan from Chelsea

Sell Buckley/Garett

I would be happy with that, would consider that to be a stronger squad than what we had 12months ago.

Yea, Harry is on the slow side and there are better LB’s in the league but he is a competent player and rarely let’s us down.

[roversfan99]

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/25304176.ryan-alebiosu-transfer-verdict-blackburn-rovers-move/

Some opinion from those that have seen him.

Common consensus is uncertainty as to whether hes up to standard at this level or worth £500k. (Although as mentioned yesterday, the actual fee is much less up front)

The Scottish journalist/expert suggested that he didnt stand out, however the opinions of the 4 or 5 St Mirren fans that I posted yesterday suggested otherwise.

[RoverCanada]

On 10/07/2025 at 14:51, Exiled_Rover said:

He's one of our better football players - he's tough, physical and has a football brain.

Sadly he's also slow and injury prone. 

The right manager thinks they'll be able to get a tune out of him. I hope a move works out for him - I've always had time for JRC, one of the few players with a set of balls on our books.

Yes, ultimately lacks the required physicality to hold up at this level and blew hot-and-cold, but you could put together a pretty decent highlights package of JRC being an absolute baller at times. A really entertaining footballer at his peak!

eg, loved his 'scoop' vs QPR a couple years ago: https://www.facebook.com/1Rovers/videos/gallagher-2nd-goal-v-qpr/1176723016538746/

Edited Friday at 15:37 by RoverCanada

[chaddyrovers]

9 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

As an 11 or 7. Modern day football eh. So as a winger.

Hopefully he will be given freedom to really exploit transitions with a solid double pivot behind him and help to get our xg up.

Let's hope so. XG? 🤣

I wonder if Ryan Alebiosu will play higher up sometimes on right winger with Brittain at right back. 

3 hours ago, Ossydave said:

Seems to be am obvious strategy with the transfers this summer of targeting players from relegated teams, unless its pure coincidence of course.

They really ought to change the filters on the scouting software a bit now though and get a striker and centre half in 🤞

You'd expect we get probably 2 or 3 loan players in, so no sure how many, if any, more permanent signings we'll make....

Or targeting players that suits how Ismael wants to play and within our budget. 

Ismael wanted pace and athleticism in his team for this season. That's what we have signed. 

Would like to another permanent signing in the Centre back. Then a loan forward and winger 

Edited Friday at 07:59 by chaddyrovers

[Forever Blue]

Good thread that Kent. Was just about to post. Interesting point he makes about all the players discussed in his post all being 6’1 and over.