The January 2026 Transfer Window

[roversfan99]

3 minutes ago, KentExile said:

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."

 

Looking forward to seeing numerous signings in action at the weekend.

[Tim Southampton Rover]

The new signings:

Pickerinho from Brazil

Gueye Dia - George Weah's cousin

T G-Hickmansson - from Scandinavia

Sydney from Australia - A recommendation from Emerton and Neill's agent

 

[RoversTilliDie]

I read an article this morning, Everton have put in a £4,000,000 bid for Alibousi, I'd hold out for £5,000,000, and get a decent striker out of it.

[cesus]

15 minutes ago, KentExile said:

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."

 

I can hear the manager peddling Gestede's lines already about how that list has had to be binned due to injuries. We have to spread the budget thinner on loans/signings due to the stretched squad and that is why things are taking longer.

[MarkBRFC]

2 minutes ago, RoversTilliDie said:

I read an article this morning, Everton have put in a £4,000,000 bid for Alibousi, I'd hold out for £5,000,000, and get a decent striker out of it.

If they had put a bid in I think we would all know about it by now.

It's just rumoured interest at this stage.

[RoverDom]

£4m is pocket change to a premier league club, we should certainly be holding out for a lot more before entertaining the offer. 

[Rover down South]

40 minutes ago, KentExile said:

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."

 

Ismael will suffer the same outcome as his two predecessors. Let down in the transfer window and be on his way in early Feb. Seems to me he is laying out his demands to avoid a repeat, but if they didn't back a promotion push, why would they back a relegation scrap either? Lets hope he hasn't set his expectations too high!

League One is where we are heading and then we can cash out on Cantwell, Alebiosu and whoever else holds any value and we'll be less demanding to the owners in the third tier. 

Edited Monday at 14:54 by Rover down South

[wilsdenrover]

Is it possible to have no expectations but feel you’ll still end up disapointed?

[Rover down South]

3 minutes ago, wilsdenrover said:

Is it possible to have no expectations but feel you’ll still end up disapointed?

I have zero expectations for this window and don't need to wait until transfer deadline day for the disappointment to sink in.

 

[RoversXtra]

34 minutes ago, RoversTilliDie said:

I read an article this morning, Everton have put in a £4,000,000 bid for Alibousi, I'd hold out for £5,000,000, and get a decent striker out of it.

They put a bid in? Send the article link please.

[Bohinen1983]

Apparently Derby have an interest in Szmodics (according to my son)

We need two wingers/wing backs. Josh Bowler and Clearly would be decent.

Two centre midfielders.  Rothwell and Szmodics on loan would be brilliant.

Then at least one quality striker if not two- Ohashi is nowhere near it for me.

That's ignoring centre half- hopefully the young lads can keep it up.

So for me 5 or 6 players of quality- think we're going down, dogshit side.

[davulsukur]

2 minutes ago, Bohinen1983 said:

Apparently Derby have an interest in Szmodics (according to my son)

We need two wingers/wing backs. Josh Bowler and Clearly would be decent.

Two centre midfielders.  Rothwell and Szmodics on loan would be brilliant.

Then at least one quality striker if not two- Ohashi is nowhere near it for me.

That's ignoring centre half- hopefully the young lads can keep it up.

So for me 5 or 6 players of quality- think we're going down, dogshit side.

Rothwell would be an unreal signing but he's got better offers coming his way.

Sheff Utd and Derby (of course) are linked. He won't be coming back here, sadly.

[bluebruce]

48 minutes ago, RoversTilliDie said:

I read an article this morning, Everton have put in a £4,000,000 bid for Alibousi, I'd hold out for £5,000,000, and get a decent striker out of it.

I'd hold out for 8 million. It's nothing to a Prem side if they think he might become their first choice RWB in the next couple years.

4 or 5 million is absolutely peanuts to them.

[TheRevAshton]

17 minutes ago, bluebruce said:

I'd hold out for 8 million. It's nothing to a Prem side if they think he might become their first choice RWB in the next couple years.

4 or 5 million is absolutely peanuts to them.

When he's their first-choice RB for years to come it'll be "Can you believe we only paid £4m for him?!" - definitely hold out for more I agree... not that it changes anything for us like.

Edited Monday at 15:40 by TheRevAshton

[jny]

1 minute ago, TheRevAshton said:

When he's their first-choice RB for years to come it'll be "Can you believe we only paid £4m for him?!" - definitely hold out for more I agree... not that it changes anything for us like.

PSA that this is the same club who sold that Adam Wharton fella what Real Madrid are after according to today's news, for a couple of kippers and a spare bit of blu tack. 

[Waggy76]

1 hour ago, RoversTilliDie said:

I read an article this morning, Everton have put in a £4,000,000 bid for Alibousi, I'd hold out for £5,000,000, and get a decent striker out of it.

That wont happen the £5mill goes to India with a cut for Pasha and Gestede , I presume !

[wilsdenrover]

2 minutes ago, Waggy76 said:

That wont happen the £5mill goes to India with a cut for Pasha and Gestede , I presume !

But only in installments. 

[Mercer]

All talk about the likes of Szmodics and Rothwell is for the fairies.

Think any players in will be bargain basement.

Understand one signing Rovers are confident of landing is Daniel Oyegoke, as I posted on here almost 2 weeks ago.  Would be surprised if Alebiosu is still a Rover come 1 Feb  

 

[Tomphil2]

3 minutes ago, Waggy76 said:

That wont happen the £5mill goes to India with a cut for Pasha and Gestede , I presume !

It probably goes via the Cayman Isles marked as agent/advisory fees.

[Wing Wizard Windy Miller]

5 hours ago, TheRevAshton said:

Any other Club in this league would be looking to replace Ryan Hedges if he was fit and available for selection.

Embarrassing. Absolutely tinpot as usual.

0ut of contract in summer so may as well replace him now 

[BRFC.]

Just now, BRFC. said:

Accept 4 million but they can take de Neve, henriksson, Tavares, McLoughlin, Ismael, pasha and Rudy? Seems a fair deal I’d say 

edit: the 4 million we will probably get none will be reinvested, they never have. A leopard never changes it’s spots.

 

[FE123]

55 minutes ago, Mercer said:

All talk about the likes of Szmodics and Rothwell is for the fairies.

Think any players in will be bargain basement.

Understand one signing Rovers are confident of landing is Daniel Oyegoke, as I posted on here almost 2 weeks ago.  Would be surprised if Alebiosu is still a Rover come 1 Feb  

 

Looks like he’s had a carbon copy career of Alibiosu. 6ft2 right back. Started last night for Hellas Verona though so can’t be imminent 

[aletheia]

Szmodics and Rothwell? Hilarious. Put yourself in their shoes. It would be 'any other club other than that dysfunctional set up.' What you've got to hope is that there are some naive or desperate newbies out there who don't know the full story here. 😉 

[...]

3 minutes ago, aletheia said:

Szmodics and Rothwell? Hilarious. Put yourself in their shoes. It would be 'any other club other than that dysfunctional set up.' What you've got to hope is that there are some naive or desperate newbies out there who don't know the full story here. 😉 

Or for Szmodics returning to the chaos

[RevidgeBlue]

8 hours ago, roversfan99 said:

Tronstad is the best player we have.

That would be Alebiosu by some distance.

As for talk of selling him, that all depends on whether or not he has a paltry release clause in his contract. ( Which is quite probable knowing Rovers)  If not Id be asking for at least £10m.

If Everton or any other PL Club want him they'll have to pay for him.