2025 Summer Transfer Thread. 😂

[chaddyrovers]

I would deffo like to keep Weimann. Experience player and can still score goals at this level. Back up for Cantwell. 

Hedges is a good squad player and bring experience to a squad. 

Batth is a no brainer and he has been very good and play more than I expected this past season

[chaddyrovers]

Nicholas Michalski is very well regarded and has come through England youth ranks and It will be interested whether he stays here or we try to get him a year of playing regular at league 2 or conference level. Accy Stanley could be ideal for his develop where its a local to us but he would play regular. Is it too soon for him to be back up to Toth this coming season, I would suggest so. 

What do others think especially people like @arbitro and @Parsonbluewho seen more than me of him?   

[KentExile]

26 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Nicholas Michalski is very well regarded and has come through England youth ranks and It will be interested whether he stays here or we try to get him a year of playing regular at league 2 or conference level. Accy Stanley could be ideal for his develop where its a local to us but he would play regular. Is it too soon for him to be back up to Toth this coming season, I would suggest so. 

What do others think especially people like @arbitro and @Parsonbluewho seen more than me of him?   

Has only turned 18 in March, probably needs a season at a National League North club (Macclesfield/Fylde/Chorley/Curzon/Marine maybe?), as so far a month at Bamber Bridge in the 7th tier is the highest level he has played at

Edited 11 hours ago by KentExile

[roversfan99]

It would make a further mockery of the rubbish Gestede spouted about this summer being an "exciting" opportunity if we just added an extra year on some of these just because its easier.

Batth is obviously one we should sign for an extra year. Dolan we have already fucked up that situation so anything now is futile.

With Weimann, we need to be ruthless. Obviously has made some good contributions but showed signs of slowing down even before his bad injury. Thank him but dont offer him a deal.

Hedges is a non contributor (1 goal and 2 assists really is pathetic) in an area where we need the most work of all. We need a clean sweep and he is an easy one to cull.

And Forshaw sums up our lack of depth. When needed to start a few games, the drop off in quality from the starters was too vast to not suffer in terms of performances. 

People sugar coat it by saying x or y is just a squad player but we repeatedly have issues because the drop off between the first 11 and squad players is too big. This will just continue that.

[sharpysharps86]

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

I would deffo like to keep Weimann. Experience player and can still score goals at this level. Back up for Cantwell. 

Hedges is a good squad player and bring experience to a squad. 

Batth is a no brainer and he has been very good and play more than I expected this past season

Pretty much agree with all of that, but I'd only be keeping Hedges around if it was as no more than a squad player. We need better to start games.

[arbitro]

44 minutes ago, KentExile said:

Has only turned 18 in March, probably needs a season at a National League North club (Macclesfield/Fylde/Chorley/Curzon/Marine maybe?), as so far a month at Bamber Bridge in the 7th tier is the highest level he has played at

He is a confident lad for sure and I don't think stepping up would faze him too much.

As for next season he is likely to be the under 21's regular keeper if, as expected the plethora of keepers we have are released. Personally I would be happy to see him getting regular football with us unless it was National League or even League 2. A good first half to the new season would potentially be the platform for this to happen.

[chaddyrovers]

Weimann starting showing signs of slowing down? @roversfan99

Any examples? 

[chaddyrovers]

13 minutes ago, sharpysharps86 said:

Pretty much agree with all of that, but I'd only be keeping Hedges around if it was as no more than a squad player. We need better to start games.

I've said yes to Hedges as a squad player. Played a couple of different positions, experience at this level

12 minutes ago, arbitro said:

He is a confident lad for sure and I don't think stepping up would faze him too much.

As for next season he is likely to be the under 21's regular keeper if, as expected the plethora of keepers we have are released. Personally I would be happy to see him getting regular football with us unless it was National League or even League 2. A good first half to the new season would potentially be the platform for this to happen.

What are strengths to his game? 

[roversfan99]

5 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Weimann starting showing signs of slowing down? @roversfan99

Any examples? 

Examples? How could I possibly have examples of something that is subjective.

I just felt that when he started games he seemed a bit off the pace. But the main issue is the serious injury. At his age and mainly because of the injury, I would let him go.

He is a bit different to Hedges and Forshaw in that he did contribute but we should be more ruthless. Its just low standards, we always opt for the easy decision to make do, he will do as a squad player. Then when it comes to having a few in the team at once when injuries hit, performances dip.

All makes a mockery of the crap Gestede said about an "exciting" opportunity to refresh the squad.

[Exiled_Rover]

18 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Weimann starting showing signs of slowing down? @roversfan99

Any examples? 

Besides popping up with the odd goal he was a passenger when on the field. Simply couldn't keep up with play at times.

[Exiled_Rover]

11 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Examples? How could I possibly have examples of something that is subjective.

I just felt that when he started games he seemed a bit off the pace. But the main issue is the serious injury. At his age and mainly because of the injury, I would let him go.

He is a bit different to Hedges and Forshaw in that he did contribute but we should be more ruthless. Its just low standards, we always opt for the easy decision to make do, he will do as a squad player. Then when it comes to having a few in the team at once when injuries hit, performances dip.

All makes a mockery of the crap Gestede said about an "exciting" opportunity to refresh the squad.

If we were a properly run club Hedges, Forshaw, Weimann would all be thanked for their services and shown the door. All way past their best and weak squad players.

As we're not they'll all be announced as major signings in the summer. 

[chaddyrovers]

6 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Examples? How could I possibly have examples of something that is subjective.

I just felt that when he started games he seemed a bit off the pace. But the main issue is the serious injury. At his age and mainly because of the injury, I would let him go.

It's yourself making these claims not myself. So you must have seen examples of this

He his last performance he scored and show good clever moment to get into that position to score. 

6 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

He is a bit different to Hedges and Forshaw in that he did contribute but we should be more ruthless. Its just low standards, we always opt for the easy decision to make do, he will do as a squad player. Then when it comes to having a few in the team at once when injuries hit, performances dip.

Back to standards bs again. 

Why wouldn't renew the contracts of Hedges, Batth and Weimann given their performances this season and squad players with experience..

6 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

All makes a mockery of the crap Gestede said about an "exciting" opportunity to refresh the squad.

Does it? You are refreshing the squad not overhauling it. Looking to bring 6/7 good quality and attributes we need 

[chaddyrovers]

6 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

Besides popping up with the odd goal he was a passenger when on the field. Simply couldn't keep up with play at times.

Didn't he finished second top scorer. 

Deffo not a passenger for me. 

[jim mk2]

8 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

Didn't he finished second top scorer. 

Deffo not a passenger for me. 

Of course he’s slowing down. He’s 33, it’s only natural and to be expected of a player that age. It’s not criticism of him, just the reality. If you’d played the game  you’d know this. I’d keep him but only as a substitute with the occasional start. 

[roversfan99]

24 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

If we were a properly run club Hedges, Forshaw, Weimann would all be thanked for their services and shown the door. All way past their best and weak squad players.

As we're not they'll all be announced as major signings in the summer. 

Absolutely.

20 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

It's yourself making these claims not myself. So you must have seen examples of this

He his last performance he scored and show good clever moment to get into that position to score. 

Back to standards bs again. 

Why wouldn't renew the contracts of Hedges, Batth and Weimann given their performances this season and squad players with experience..

Does it? You are refreshing the squad not overhauling it. Looking to bring 6/7 good quality and attributes we need 

Batth obviously we should renew.

Weimann perhaps I would prior to a serious injury especially at his age.

Hedges on performance levels in the season just gone? Really?

[davulsukur]

45 minutes ago, Exiled_Rover said:

Besides popping up with the odd goal he was a passenger when on the field. Simply couldn't keep up with play at times.

Providing there are no concerns with his latest injury, he'd be a useful option off the bench but he shouldn't be starting games regularly.

[Tomphil2]

Weimann has to prove himself fit before anything else and i assume the contract they offer him would reflect that.

It's a tricky one with him and will probably be a late decision but i don't see hes much option either although Swaghail specialise in signing unfit players short term.

[K-Hod]

Hedges tries hard but he’s a winger who doesn’t score or assist anywhere near enough, so this is a chance to move him on.

[KentExile]

23 minutes ago, K-Hod said:

Hedges tries hard but he’s a winger who doesn’t score or assist anywhere near enough, so this is a chance to move him on.

Its not happening.  Ismael on record (or been told to say) as saying he wants the 5 out of contract players all to stay, and all apart from Dolan will be easy enough to get done, so thats what will happen.

Just accept it and save yourself a month or 2 of hoping/wishing something better will happen.

In fact, the only way we don't start the season with Weimann, Hedges, Forshaw & Batth in the squad is if there are further budget cuts and we can no longer even afford them

 

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/25140366.blackburn-contract-talks-offers-rival-interest/

 

Blackburn Rovers remain locked in negotiations to keep their out-of-contract quintet at the club.

Valerien Ismael has made it clear that he'd like to keep the five players whose contracts expire on June 30. Some of those talks will be easier than others with varying timeframes on when decisions will be made.

Rovers are well aware they will have to wait for Tyrhys Dolan's final decision. The 23-year-old will go on holiday and assess the interest in his signature in the summer before deciding on where his future lies.

The Lancashire Telegraph understands that no agreement is close with any club. Middlesbrough have been linked but there has not been direct contact or any proposals submitted to Dolan's camp.

It is an open race for his signature and Rovers remain in it. Staying at Ewood Park has not been ruled out, though it still feels more likely he will leave.
 
Dialogue remains open between all parties. Rovers will submit their best contract offer and it will be considered alongside any other proposals.

Whilst it will be a waiting game with Dolan, there is hope that Rovers can gain clarity on their other four players swiftly. Talks are ongoing to extend Danny Batth's agreement.

The 34-year-old signed a one-year deal last summer and accepted a career-low salary to facilitate the move. Batth has proven he remains a reliable and impressive performer at Championship level and Rovers' record with him in the team reflects his influence.

Ismael wants the experienced defender to remain at Rovers whilst club officials have privately expressed how impressed they have been by his performance levels. Any concerns over his age have been eradicated by his consistency and fitness record.

A contract offer was submitted by the club after talks over the Easter weekend but an agreement isn't yet in place. Other Championship clubs, unsurprisingly, are interested, but Batth's preference would be to remain at Blackburn. Now the season has ended, there is a focus on ensuring that the situation does not drag on, as it has in the previous two summers.

Likewise for Ryan Hedges. Rovers have a 12-month option in his deal but have not triggered it yet despite Ismael's public backing for the 29-year-old. It's understood that the Welshman's camp would prefer a new contract, likely until 2027, to offer more security.

As revealed by The LT, Hedges is expected to be fit for pre-season and so his final-day injury should have no bearing on discussions. Either way, Rovers must make a decision before June 30.

Ismael would also like to keep Adam Forshaw at the club after being impressed with his influence on and off the pitch. The experienced midfielder is open to extending his contract and that should be a straightforward deal to renew.

Andi Weimann's knee injury could see a delay in his renewal. After a three-month lay-off, Rovers might wait to see how he recovers, though it's clear both parties would like to extend their relationship into a second season.

When asked whether Rovers need clarity quickly on contract decisions, Ismael said: "Yes but now we have a lot of work to do. First to try to keep the vast majority of the players. We know it will be difficult.

"Some players are out of contract. There will be a lot of negotiation and we'll wait until the end, but we know that we've got the stability we've got in this team."

 

Edited 8 hours ago by KentExile

[Tomphil2]

Getting a tune out of Cantwell is a good challenge for Ismael.

If he can get him in a system more that allows him to be in and around the box more and not leaving any gaping holes that could be a real bonus.

[Wheelton Blue]

Weinman, Hedges, Forshaw.

How predictable. How unimaginative. How depressing.

[KentExile]

9 minutes ago, Wheelton Blue said:

Weinman, Hedges, Forshaw.

How predictable. How unimaginative. How depressing.

I am genuinely in disbelief that anyone could conclude that this outcome was anything other than a nailed on certainty months ago.

Anyone who thought otherwise has not been paying attention over the past decade or so

 

Edited 8 hours ago by KentExile

[rob_of_the_rovers]

I doubt Ismael is going to openly come out and say "nah, they can go", especially with no guarantees on recruiting any able bodies replacements just yet

[KentExile]

5 minutes ago, rob_of_the_rovers said:

I doubt Ismael is going to openly come out and say "nah, they can go", especially with no guarantees on recruiting any able bodies replacements just yet

Offers of contracts have to be made (or players told they can leave) by 17th May (end of next week)

Not much to gain by not being truthful there

Edited 8 hours ago by KentExile

[BigHoz]

If we’re looking to progress and are looking up, hedges Weimann and forshaw are toast. 

If we’re skint again because the club isn’t being backed, then sure sign them up.