2025 Summer Transfer Thread. 😂

[chaddyrovers]

On 10/09/2025 at 14:25, roversfan99 said:

They also said that they think that the squad is stronger. So why wouldnt they commit to saying that the aim is the play offs seeing as we finished 7th with a weaker squad, in their eyes?

cos you will have to let the new overseas signings settle and learn how this league is played. patience is needed

On 10/09/2025 at 19:02, roversfan99 said:

I keep saying suggestions as if we have purposefully traded our supposedly limited Championship players in tactically in favour of more exotic upgrades.

We wanted to keep all of the key players that left. All 6 of them. We didnt intend to have such a high turnover of players, theyve admitted that. Its only happened because we are totally incapable of sorting contracts out or paying competitive Championship wages.

I can only imagine that its people deluding themselves into thinking its a clever plan.

or we aren't willing to pay more than we can afford and budget for? 

we have wage budget and we offered them the best contracts we could. They didn't sign them and we sold Travis and Brittain. Hyam I would keep cos how late in the window. We haven't let Lenihan or Rothwell situation happened again

On 11/09/2025 at 09:48, roversfan99 said:

Ismael is very comfy on his long deal and very much trotting out the company line in his interview. Not convinced that hes truthfully so happy about business.

He keeps talking about versatility. Yes its very useful but it doesnt compensate for a lack of numbers.

For example, we are short in midfield with Travis gone, Tavares (who Ismael seems to think has done well in every game which is far from true) and us signing someone who is nowhere near fitness. So Taylor Gardner Hickman should be needed there. But he cant play there and right back at the same time and our right back cover is now considered a full time centre back. And if we are so well covered, Hyam wouldnt have been one of the first names on the team sheet.

Theres a continued batting off about the contract situation. No reassurance that anything is going to change and those with 2 years on their deals will be proactively approached.

 

what lack of numbers? don't we in terms of numbers 2 players for every position? is this true of not? not talking quality cos that the question mark until we see more of these new signings? 

On 11/09/2025 at 11:22, Tomphil2 said:

Some will say hey that's great planning but others will see through it for what it is, a cheap replacement and another likely downgrade.

isn't Miller a full international player for Australia who is regular for them? 

[Exiled in Toronto Mk2]

18 hours ago, tonyoz said:

From Google Gemini:

Based on available data, Blackburn Rovers' wage bill is significantly lower than the average for a Championship club.
Here's a breakdown of the key points:
 * Below-average wage bill: For the 2023-2024 season, Blackburn's total wage bill was around £25.4 million. This was well below the Championship average of £38.1 million.
 * Ranking among Championship clubs: Reports for the 2024-2025 season indicate that Blackburn Rovers' weekly wage bill of £234,000 ranks 17th among the 24 teams in the league. This places them among the lower-paying clubs in the Championship.
 * Individual player salaries: For context, the average Championship player wage is around £10,000 a week, but top earners at other clubs can make significantly more, especially those with parachute payments from the Premier League.
 * Impact of financial strategy: Blackburn's financial model appears to be more cautious. Their staff costs, including wages, were the seventh lowest in the league in the 2023-24 season. The club has also generated significant income from player sales, such as the transfer of Adam Wharton to Crystal Palace, which helps offset their expenses. This suggests a strategy of relying on player development and sales rather than high-spending on wages.
In conclusion, Blackburn Rovers do not pay the "going rate" in wages for a Championship club if the "going rate" is considered to be the league average. Their wage bill is consistently in the lower half of the division, reflecting a more fiscally conservative approach compared to many of their rivals, particularly those with parachute payments.
 

Average is somewhat meaningless in a division so heavily skewed by a handful of clubs on parachute payments paying whopping salaries. Vs median would be a better measure.

[yankfan]

4 hours ago, Exiled_Rover said:

What was the injury?

Venkys

[Tomphil2]

19 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

 

isn't Miller a full international player for Australia who is regular for them? 

A right back replacing an established 3 million pound centre back at his peak who didn't miss a game all last season and has got into the International squad himself ?

Yes great planning.

[chaddyrovers]

2 minutes ago, Tomphil2 said:

A right back replacing an established 3 million pound centre back at his peak who didn't miss a game all last season and has got into the International squad himself ?

Yes great planning.

Who plays centre back for his country? 

I dont know how good he is as a centre back

Edited 13 hours ago by chaddyrovers

[roversfan99]

37 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

cos you will have to let the new overseas signings settle and learn how this league is played. patience is needed

or we aren't willing to pay more than we can afford and budget for? 

we have wage budget and we offered them the best contracts we could. They didn't sign them and we sold Travis and Brittain. Hyam I would keep cos how late in the window. We haven't let Lenihan or Rothwell situation happened again

what lack of numbers? don't we in terms of numbers 2 players for every position? is this true of not? not talking quality cos that the question mark until we see more of these new signings? 

isn't Miller a full international player for Australia who is regular for them? 

You would literally defend pretty much anything the club do, wouldnt you?

[chaddyrovers]

9 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

You would literally defend pretty much anything the club do, wouldnt you?

You would moan and complain about anything to do with your club you support!!!

If we won tomorrow you still find something to moan or complain about wouldn't you!

 

[London blue]

Just now, chaddyrovers said:

You would moan and complain about anything to do with your club you support!!!

If we won tomorrow you still find something to moan or complain about wouldn't you!

 

Yes. Because winning a game does not solve the inherent sickness that sits atop our club and has infected it to its very core.

You're just happy to ignore it.

[BRFC.]

2 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

 

or we aren't willing to pay more than we can afford and budget for? 

 

We’ve made £50M from player sales in the last 20 months. Sick of this “we can’t afford” nonsense, we’ll continue to see more players leave and hear “how can we compete with the Bolton and Plymouth’s of this world” 

[BRFC.]

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

You would moan and complain about anything to do with your club you support!!!

If we won tomorrow you still find something to moan or complain about wouldn't you!

 

A win is papering over the cracks. Shall we forget about how our club has been destroyed because of a win? 

[Ghost7]

I think it's safe to say Lewis Miller is a right back, who can play centre back, which in reality isn't what we needed to replace Hyam.

At this level, I'd rather my centre backs were centre backs... Particularly given how often the ball is in the air.

The problem will be visible in about 10 - 15 games time, despite what Rudy Gestede thinks.

[roversfan99]

As a supporter of a club. It doesnt mean that you have to go along with everything the tossers who both own and run it say and withhold all critical faculty and any form of standards.

When these idiots try and spin everything, there tends to be 2 different sides.

We offered them as much as we possibly could - you can either say ok fair enough. Or ask why none of them were willing to sign within that structure, why is the structure so low, why cant we offer competitive wages, what is the pattern, why cant we even sign domestic players 

When we sign Baradji on loan who is injured for months - you can either say yeah that is good business. Or ask why we are replacing our captain with a bloke on loan who is out for ages injured, is that wise?

When Gestede suggests that we are covered by the signing of Miller at centre back - we can either accept it, no questions. Or ask why he signed as soon as Brittain left, why he was signed as right back, why has he never/barely played as a centre back in a 4 before, what would have happened if we had kept Hyam

When they say the squad is better but not suggest that we will finish higher - you can either say yeah ok, hard league, need patience, or ask why they think its better? Are they trying to con us by understating the quality of those lost?

My advice. Dont just take the propaganda at face value. Question it.

[JHRover]

3 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

 

or we aren't willing to pay more than we can afford and budget for? 

we have wage budget and we offered them the best contracts we could.

We've brought in almost £55 million in player sales since 2021.

Why can we 'not afford' to pay our best players as much as or more than Wrexham, Derby or Middlesbrough?

Why could we not have instigated contract negotiations earlier than May/June? (If they ever actually happened, which I don't believe). 

You're getting mixed up again. Venky/henchman choices are not the same as what we can afford ad could do if we wanted and they allowed it.

If they allowed us to spend the money we brought in we could have offered these players the going rate. They chose not to allow this. It is their decision, and the consequences are on their heads.

It isn't bad weather, covid, FFP, small crowds, bad luck, location or any other ridiculous excuse you and others want to hide behind. It is Venkys and their mates. Enjoy.

Edited 10 hours ago by JHRover

[roversfan99]

48 minutes ago, JHRover said:

We've brought in almost £55 million in player sales since 2021.

Why can we 'not afford' to pay our best players as much as or more than Wrexham, Derby or Middlesbrough?

Why could we not have instigated contract negotiations earlier than May/June? (If they ever actually happened, which I don't believe). 

You're getting mixed up again. Venky/henchman choices are not the same as what we can afford ad could do if we wanted and they allowed it.

If they allowed us to spend the money we brought in we could have offered these players the going rate. They chose not to allow this. It is their decision, and the consequences are on their heads.

It isn't bad weather, covid, FFP, small crowds, bad luck, location or any other ridiculous excuse you and others want to hide behind. It is Venkys and their mates. Enjoy.

Even if we cant afford to compete with then in particular. A bigger question would be, why are we not in a position to even offer these players better terms than what they signed years ago?

Gestede said 2 of Travis/Brittain/Hyam were offered equal wages but with an extra year. They all signed contracts 3 seasons ago. Why is our wage budget capped at such a low amount? Why hasnt it even increased for inflation? Whats the point even bothering with such pathetic offers that they never would sign?

[USABlue]

15 hours ago, London blue said:

Baradji out "medium term" according to VI.

Laughable transfer. Call it sensible to loan him instead of buying all you want but I'll be surprised if he plays 10 games this season.

Some replacement for Trav.

What is medium term exactly?  How long FFS

[lraC]

I think it’s highly likely that these statements from the club, are less than truthful.

They no doubt live in hope, that the 8,000 or so left, love their club enough to accept everything, without question.

I prefer to see beyond what they are saying, as far too much has gone on for me to trust anyone there anymore, including the manager, who I consider to be complicit in it all. 

[KentExile]

6 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Even if we cant afford to compete with then in particular. A bigger question would be, why are we not in a position to even offer these players better terms than what they signed years ago?

Gestede said 2 of Travis/Brittain/Hyam were offered equal wages but with an extra year. They all signed contracts 3 seasons ago. Why is our wage budget capped at such a low amount? Why hasnt it even increased for inflation? Whats the point even bothering with such pathetic offers that they never would sign?

Specifically regarding the last line in your post that I have marked in bold

Never mind why has the wage cap not been increased, It looks very much as though the wage cap has been reduced and is now below what some of these players are currently on (or at least below what they were on before they left and found new clubs who would pay what they are worth), however, they were offered terms equal to their current contracts on the long shot that they may accept, which would have been seen as an unexpected coup (at least by Pasha, Gestede et al)

Not sure I have explained myself properly there, but for example, if Hyam/Brittain/Travis were on circa £10K-£15K/week, and the wage cap is now £10K/week, then whilst all new signings have that £10K/week cap, they are willing to extend our "star performers" on their current terms (but only for a year)

It all screams short termism, and the 1 year extensions to our (former) higher earners were them attempting to cover  themselves financially as they know where this is likely to end (relegation in the near future if not this season)

Edited 3 hours ago by KentExile

[Blueandwhitemike]

17 hours ago, London blue said:

Baradji out "medium term" according to VI.

Laughable transfer. Call it sensible to loan him instead of buying all you want but I'll be surprised if he plays 10 games this season.

Some replacement for Trav.

 

Outside of this window (which has been terrible), at a normal club, I could see some logic in the Baradji signing.  

There's a player who they all think is really good and available cheap and for cheap wages and someone who really wants come to England and play in thee Championship.  OK he is injured for a couple of months but he and his club will let him come on loan and the wages are even lower so it's an 'extra' signing.  Travis, in their thinking, is covered by Tavares and Baradji, if he comes good can replace Tronstad in January.

In our situation it's a. bit crazy but I still hold out some hope that he might actually be a very good footballer at this level. 

[London blue]

1 hour ago, Blueandwhitemike said:

In our situation it's a. bit crazy but I still hold out some hope that he might actually be a very good footballer at this level. 

He might well be.

The reality of it is, though, that we're left with Tron and Tavares who, so far, has been lightweight and has a mistake in him.

Our backup is the Brum lad, Foreshaw and Kristi. I've not seen the former play and I'd like to see as little as possible of the latter two.

[BRFC.]

7 minutes ago, London blue said:

He might well be.

The reality of it is, though, that we're left with Tron and Tavares who, so far, has been lightweight and has a mistake in him.

Our backup is the Brum lad, Foreshaw and Kristi. I've not seen the former play and I'd like to see as little as possible of the latter two.

A tronstad injury away from utter disaster 

[TimmyJimmy]

1 hour ago, Blueandwhitemike said:

 

Outside of this window (which has been terrible), at a normal club, I could see some logic in the Baradji signing.  

There's a player who they all think is really good and available cheap and for cheap wages and someone who really wants come to England and play in thee Championship.  OK he is injured for a couple of months but he and his club will let him come on loan and the wages are even lower so it's an 'extra' signing.  Travis, in their thinking, is covered by Tavares and Baradji, if he comes good can replace Tronstad in January.

In our situation it's a. bit crazy but I still hold out some hope that he might actually be a very good footballer at this level. 

Agree. The season will have been defined for us by the time Baradji plays. He can be a worldy from then on but it's not going to elevate us to the top end of the table.

Might save us from relegation I guess but stable door and bolted horse springs to mind by then.

Like every season we will be weighed down with injuries with the very few quality players we have underperforming due to lack of support in other positions.

The clue for Gestede is in the name 'team', the odd bit of star quality will never compensate for a lack of investment in the other positions. Where's the Championship experience and tolerance to heavy waterlogged pitches in our 'team' I wonder.

[KentExile]

On 12/09/2025 at 03:10, tonyoz said:

From Google Gemini:
 * Ranking among Championship clubs: Reports for the 2024-2025 season indicate that Blackburn Rovers' weekly wage bill of £234,000 ranks 17th among the 24 teams in the league. This places them among the lower-paying clubs in the Championship.
 * Individual player salaries: For context, the average Championship player wage is around £10,000 a week, but top earners at other clubs can make significantly more, especially those with parachute payments from the Premier League.
 * Impact of financial strategy: Blackburn's financial model appears to be more cautious. Their staff costs, including wages, were the seventh lowest in the league in the 2023-24 season. The club has also generated significant income from player sales, such as the transfer of Adam Wharton to Crystal Palace, which helps offset their expenses. This suggests a strategy of relying on player development and sales rather than high-spending on wages.
In conclusion, Blackburn Rovers do not pay the "going rate" in wages for a Championship club if the "going rate" is considered to be the league average. Their wage bill is consistently in the lower half of the division, reflecting a more fiscally conservative approach compared to many of their rivals, particularly those with parachute payments.
 

 

12 hours ago, Exiled in Toronto Mk2 said:

Average is somewhat meaningless in a division so heavily skewed by a handful of clubs on parachute payments paying whopping salaries. Vs median would be a better measure.

Whilst what you say is true Toronto, If we ignore averages, our weekly wage bill for the 24/25 season was also stated above as being the 17th lowest out of the 24 in the division. 

and that was before Birmingham & Wrexham came up with much bigger wage bills than ourselves, meaning we are down to 19th out of 24, and Rovers then decided to cut our own wage bill on top of that.

We are now comfortably in the lowest 5 wage payers in the league (at most).  And possibly rank even lower depending upon how much we have cut the wage bill this season (and how much more our rivals are spending.  Derby probably had a lower wage bill than us last season, probably not anymore based on their spending)

Obviously Sheff Wed will have the lowest wage bill, as most of their players have now left.  But our wage bill will now be comparable to Portsmouth, Oxford and Charlton.  Even so Portsmouth are paying enough to take Chaplin on loan from Ipswich, Charlton are signing Kaminski, who wont come cheap, & Oxford are signing players who we were after)

Edited 1 hour ago by KentExile

[Bronzed A Donis]

With the club openly touting Tronstad, if he doesn't go on January, he's going to be protecting himself for a new move in the summer,  so however you look at it we're likely to not have Tronstad 100% anyway, desperate times.

[Leonard Venkhater]

12 hours ago, chaddyrovers said:

You would moan and complain about anything to do with your club you support!!!

If we won tomorrow you still find something to moan or complain about wouldn't you!

 

Honest questions..Do you think that the plan enacted by Suhail and Gestede will make Rovers a better team?

What is your assessment of the risks entailed?

Edited 1 hour ago by Leonard Venkhater

[roversfan99]

Also @chaddyrovers was there any point in the interviews whereby you felt that they were not telling the truth, spinning the situation or any points where you felt that further questions were required?