Blackburn Rovers can kill two birds with one stone by swooping for departing Sheffield Wednesday man: Opinion
Blackburn Rovers are in for a busy summer transfer window as Valerien Ismael looks to make his mark at Ewood Park.
Blackburn Rovers boss Valerien Ismael is heading into his first transfer window in charge of the Lancashire club.
It presents a real opportunity for the Frenchman to shape the squad to his liking at Ewood Park. There’s no hiding that the Rovers ranks need some work too, especially if they’re to become better suited to Ismael’s system ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.
It seems Blackburn Rovers already have a good idea of where they want to strengthen too. Speaking in April, the increasingly prominent head of football operations Rudy Gestede confirmed a number of positions the club want to add too, one being central midfield.
A box-to-box midfielder is wanted and Rovers could make a shrewd signing by swooping for soon-to-be free agent Stuart Armstrong.
The midfield gap plugged
Change awaits in the Blackburn Rovers midfield ranks. Adam Forshaw has not seen his contract renewed while it feels as though academy graduate John Buckley is increasingly likely to move on from the club.
That could leave just Lewis Travis and Sondre Tronstad as the only options available to Ismael, and both are more deeper-lying players. As such, it isn’t a great surprise a box-to-box midfielder is wanted.
Armstrong could be just that, and he’d be available for nothing following the end of his Sheffield Wednesday contract. The experienced Scot showed flashes of his class in his time at Hillsborough and can operate as a defensive, central or attacking midfielder as a well-rounded and versatile player.
On a free, he could be a smart signing who facilitates spending elsewhere.
Another bonus for Blackburn Rovers
While filling a vacant gap in the midfield, Armstrong would also replace some of the outgoing experience in the squad.
Not only is Forshaw moving on, but Andi Weimann and Danny Batth are wanted elsewhere too. Derby County are keen on both as their deals run down, though Rovers are battling to retain their services.
Having played 214 times for Southampton, 150 games for Dundee United and made 144 appearances fo Celtic, Armstrong would replace the experience and pedigree Rovers are losing.
Even if the likes of Weimann and Batth stay though, the departing Sheffield Wednesday man could be a very shrewd option as Rovers target a box-to-box midfielder.
