The January 2026 Transfer Window

[Tugayslongwalkoff]

Anyone know if the rumours of Rovers contacting clubs to see if they’re interested in Alebiosu, Gudjonson and Toth are true? 

[MarkBRFC71]

5 minutes ago, Tugayslongwalkoff said:

Anyone know if the rumours of Rovers contacting clubs to see if they’re interested in Alebiosu, Gudjonson and Toth are true? 

Not sure if true, but would not be a surprise.  Could probably add Cantwell to that list also.

[chaddyrovers]

1 hour ago, roversfan99 said:

I touched on in my post that we dont really have any captains. We shoved senior players out the door, and currently there are 2 captains at Championship clubs who are superior to us that were here last season.

Tronstad probably would be but I suspect wasnt considered as he will be off in the summer.

The fact that McLaughlin wears the armband sometimes tells you a lot. He is certainly not captain material either.

if you are talking about Hyam, people didn't want him as captain. People have short memories. 

Wasn't Wharton second in line and the right vice captain. 

is Tronstad captain material? 

McLoughlin got the armband cos he was the most senior player on the pitch, so who should have got the armband then? 

1 hour ago, roversfan99 said:

Can see a semblance of logic in giving him the armband, to try and get him to step up similar to what Warnock did to Taarabt.

I was the first to mention Cantwell becoming Captain even before he did. I mentioned what Warnock did with Taarabt as captain. 

1 hour ago, roversfan99 said:

But I dont think he is a natural captain.

what is a natural captain these days in football? 

1 hour ago, roversfan99 said:

But as a player, definitely a number of much bigger concerns in our team.

I made I have said already on here, we need a number of signings this window

 

[chaddyrovers]

6 minutes ago, Tugayslongwalkoff said:

Anyone know if the rumours of Rovers contacting clubs to see if they’re interested in Alebiosu, Gudjonson and Toth are true? 

where are these rumours from? 

[davulsukur]

10 minutes ago, Tugayslongwalkoff said:

Anyone know if the rumours of Rovers contacting clubs to see if they’re interested in Alebiosu, Gudjonson and Toth are true? 

Rovers in trying to sell it's best players shocker.

[rob_of_the_rovers]

10 minutes ago, Tugayslongwalkoff said:

Anyone know if the rumours of Rovers contacting clubs to see if they’re interested in Alebiosu, Gudjonson and Toth are true? 

Not a chance, two have only been here for 6 months. Even if they secretly did want to cash in they wouldn't weaken their hand by letting everyone know.

[wilsdenrover]

14 minutes ago, Tugayslongwalkoff said:

Anyone know if the rumours of Rovers contacting clubs to see if they’re interested in Alebiosu, Gudjonson and Toth are true? 

Sounds like mischief making to me.

[MarkBRFC71]

Don't see Cantwell as a problem.  Far bigger issues:

• Get Toth back in goal IMMEDIATELY.  Pears is a liability.
• Need a backup RB for Alebiosu.
• Need a starting quality CB with leadership - Wharton and Carter cannot be relied on to complete more than a third of a season each.  Miller is committed but very limited.  McLoughlin is too lightweight - which is even more of a problem when he's the current mainstay.  Pratt has done OK but we're in a dogfight and we need experience there.
• LB options are average but at least we've got 2 - wouldn't prioritise this.
• Need a starting quality CM with leadership - and a bit of steel and shithousery.  We've got decent technical options but no guile or grit.  Tronstad is a must start, Baradji needs to play further forward, Montgomery is OK as a backup.  GH and Tavares are both poor IMO.
• Need at least 1 starting winger/wide forward.
• Need a starting quality striker.  Ohashi puts a lot of effort in but I think he's been sussed this season, and his finishing is poor.  Gudjohnsen I like but is he injury prone?  Big Mak needs to move.

Lastly - I would bin off Ismael.  He can't get a tune out of 'his' players with any kind of consistency, and something needs to change or we will slide into League One.  That said I think there is zero chance of this as the stupidity of us giving him a 3 year deal means we will not pay him off.

[London blue]

17 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

 I was the first to mention Cantwell becoming Captain even before he did. I mentioned what Warnock did with Taarabt as captain. 

This is so funny. Literally the only reason you support him being captain is because you suggested it.

He's impetuous and sulky, these are not attributes you want in a captain "modern" or otherwise.

I'd have Toth, Wharton or Tronsyad.

[47er]

2 minutes ago, London blue said:

This is so funny. Literally the only reason you support him being captain is because you suggested it.

He's impetuous and sulky, these are not attributes you want in a captain "modern" or otherwise.

I'd have Toth, Wharton or Tronsyad.

I'd go with Trondstad---Wharton's never fit for long.

[London blue]

Which is a shame as he is proper captain material otherwise.

[Eddie]

1 hour ago, Tugayslongwalkoff said:

Anyone know if the rumours of Rovers contacting clubs to see if they’re interested in Alebiosu, Gudjonson and Toth are true? 

Gudjonson can't play for another club until the start of next season. He made appearances for Gent in August before his move. 

[roversfan99]

1 hour ago, chaddyrovers said:

if you are talking about Hyam, people didn't want him as captain. People have short memories. 

Wasn't Wharton second in line and the right vice captain. 

is Tronstad captain material? 

McLoughlin got the armband cos he was the most senior player on the pitch, so who should have got the armband then? 

I was the first to mention Cantwell becoming Captain even before he did. I mentioned what Warnock did with Taarabt as captain. 

what is a natural captain these days in football? 

I made I have said already on here, we need a number of signings this window

 

My overall point is that there is a severe lack of obvious leaders and experience within the squad.

Taarabt was made QPR captain in a squad full of actual leaders so it was a token gesture in a way. We dont have that beyond Cantwell. And I think the captaincy was moved away from Taarabt after a bit.

[chaddyrovers]

18 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

My overall point is that there is a severe lack of obvious leaders and experience within the squad.

I just give up if you are avoid answering questions 

18 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

Taarabt was made QPR captain in a squad full of actual leaders so it was a token gesture in a way. We dont have that beyond Cantwell. And I think the captaincy was moved away from Taarabt after a bit.

Taarabt was captain in the promotion year under Warnock 

Edited 11 hours ago by chaddyrovers

[TheKitGuy]

2 hours ago, davulsukur said:

Rovers in trying to sell it's best players shocker.

I saw a rumour of Alebiosu to Everton for circa £4m

[roversfan99]

10 minutes ago, chaddyrovers said:

I just give up if you are avoid answering questions 

Taarabt was captain in the promotion year under Warnock 

Yes, but as I said. That particular squad was full of senior leaders. Clint Hill, Shaun Derry, Paddy Kenny, Fitz Hall etc. They weren't looking to Taarabt for inspiration, for leadership, for guidance. It was purely a case of making Taarabt feel special, a somewhat token gesture knowing that if they needed some leadership, it would come not from the captain but the leaders I mentioned regardless of who had the armband.

If we also had a core of experience and leadership, then you can do similar with Cantwell. As it is, that is not the case and not only is it to make Cantwell feel special, but he is probably the one they turn to because theres no one else.

I suspect it is beyond you to suggest that we are lacking in experience and leadership. And when you see a bang average Sean McLoughlin, fresh off a spell as a Hull squad player, not in any way appearing from the outside to be an obvious leader, leading out our team in a league game, nothing in you thinks how has it come to this?

And thats not having a go at him personally. You dont like me saying it but it comes down to standards.

[davulsukur]

5 minutes ago, TheKitGuy said:

I saw a rumour of Alebiosu to Everton for circa £4m

Yep, I've seen the same rumour.

[TheKitGuy]

Just now, davulsukur said:

Yep, I've seen the same rumour.

All depends on AFCON i bet, I could see the Fulham boys in the Nigeria squad will be putting a word in too. 

[Browjd]

Absolutely no point selling at any price - we won't see any of it 

[Comfortably numb]

We've already been told that this is the policy, try and buy unpolished diamonds, sell them at a profit and reinvest.

It's the model the likes of Brighton, Brentford and others use to great effect. I doubt that we will be quite as successful, though it shouldn't surprise anyone to know everyone is available at the right price 

[K-Hod]

6 minutes ago, Comfortably numb said:

sell them at a profit and reinvest.

 

Except we usually skip this step in bold.

[TheKitGuy]

4 minutes ago, Browjd said:

Absolutely no point selling at any price - we won't see any of it 

True, but what can you do. We won't do any significant investing but it keeps us going. 

[chaddyrovers]

33 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

I suspect it is beyond you to suggest that we are lacking in experience and leadership. And when you see a bang average Sean McLoughlin, fresh off a spell as a Hull squad player, not in any way appearing from the outside to be an obvious leader, leading out our team in a league game, nothing in you thinks how has it come to this?

And thats not having a go at him personally.

You deffo have it in for McLoughlin for some reasons. I have asked who you picked instead of McLoughlin, no answer. I asked is is Tronstad captain material? no answer. I asked what is a natural captain these days in football? no answer. 

I leave it there as this is the Transfer thread. 

33 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

You dont like me saying it but it comes down to standards.

same old you RF99

[KentExile]

Ismael's deadline is ticking

https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/25696130.ismael-sends-transfer-message-blackburn-rovers-board/

 

Valerien Ismael has urged Blackburn Rovers to act quickly to add new signings in the January transfer window.

Rovers are expected to bolster their squad in the New Year after a spate of injuries and a change in formation. Ismael is anticipating incomings and outgoings as he continues to evolve his Blackburn squad.

Targets have been identified and Ismael wants to see action quickly when January 1 rolls around. Given Rovers' recent record in the January window, they will need a dramatic improvement to sufficiently better their team.

"Oh, yes," Ismael said immediately when asked if the club must act quickly.

"We spoke already with the board, as I said, as quickly as possible. Because the longer we are waiting, the more problems we will get. Every game counts in January.

"We need a new face. We need to refresh. We need to adjust the squad to adapt to the shape we play."

"lus the new issue with Ryan (Alebiosu to AFCON). It adds a little bit more pressure on everything. But we have to be really good, really fast.

"The earlier the players come in, the better it will be for us."

"Yes, we have already got the list identified. So now it's not out of my control. We did our job now," he added.

"For sure, it's clear that we need players. We will get some players and the best is to get them ideally on the 1st of January.

"I know that it's always difficult. But I would say the week after is the game against Hull City in the FA Cup. I think we can use that game to integrate all the new players."

Rovers have 24 players registered and so new additions will inevitably lead to departures. However, it is evident certain players aren't a fit for Ismael's style of play.

Makhtar Gueye will be an obvious player of speculation, considering the interest in him from Turkey in September. Harry Pickering has been short of game time too, though is an experienced member of the squad.

Ismael says Rovers must be ruthless in their decision-making to ensure the squad is suitably equipped for an important second half of the season.

"Listen, at some point, it's all about the performance. It's all about the squad. It's about the discipline we see on the pitch," he added.

"As I said in our assessment, we have to be ruthless now and then to make sure that we know that we can perform. We know that we need all our players.

"And at some point, we have to make some decisions. If something is not right and we are not happy, then we have to make a change.

"We have to be ruthless with the squad as well to assess in January to make our decision when we have to act on the decision."

 

[roversfan99]

My point is about that we have jettisoned any natural leaders, seemingly to cut the wage bill and to presumably remove anyone with strong opinions.

Its not about which of the current squad should be captain. 

It is transfer related as we could do with a leader in the middle of the defence, or at least someone with experience. Not someone on their last legs like McFadzean. And Cashin wouldnt fit the bill for me.