July 8, 2024

Stoke City 1-0 Blackburn Rovers: Resolute Potters keep out Rovers - BBC  Sport

Blackburn Rovers issue transfer saga statement as date set for hearing ahead of Stoke clash

News from the Championship as Stoke City prepare to take on Blackburn Rovers in a big match in the bottom half

The EFL board will meet on Thursday to discuss another Blackburn Rovers transfer saga and a flailing attempt to sign United States striker Duncan McGuire.

Blackburn pulled out of a deal to sign McGuire from Orlando City on the day before deadline day last week, while he was on a flight to the UK. But the move was resurrected and the club released an announcement at 11pm on Thursday to say he he had joined on a loan-to-buy arrangement subject to international clearance and visa checks.

Stoke City 1-0 Blackburn Rovers: Resolute Potters keep out Rovers - BBC  Sport

It then emerged, however, that there were issues with the paperwork that Blackburn submitted and the player is currently in limbo, as happened to Lewis O’Brien when Blackburn had a problem bringing him in from Nottingham Forest this time last year.

McGuire remains in England for now and club lawyers have submitted documents to the league in hope that he will get the green light to join in for the rest of the season. A run of one win in 11 has seen Rovers drop towards the relegation zone and they are only one point above 20th-placed Stoke City ahead of a huge match at Ewood Park on Saturday.

If the EFL say no, Blackburn will try to come to an agreement with Orlando that McGuire can make the switch to Lancashire at the start of the summer window.

Stoke City 1-0 Blackburn Rovers: Resolute Potters keep out Rovers - BBC  Sport

A club statement says: “Duncan McGuire’s proposed loan move to Blackburn Rovers from MLS side Orlando City has not been approved by the EFL to date due to the registration documents being submitted after the 11pm transfer deadline. All of the necessary signed paperwork had been completed prior to 10pm on Thursday, February 1. However, due to an administrative error, the forms were not processed within the prescribed time.

Detailed discussions with the legal representatives and the relevant football authorities have taken place over the past few days to try to reach an urgent and positive resolution to the matter. The club’s lawyers have prepared the required papers and sent to the EFL board, who will consider the case on Thursday, February 8.

Stoke City 1-0 Blackburn Rovers: Resolute Potters keep out Rovers - BBC  Sport

“Orlando City have allowed Duncan McGuire to remain in the UK, pending the EFL board’s decision. He will return to the United States, where he will rejoin his club ahead of the start of the 2024 MLS season, should his registration not be approved.

“Should the appeal be refused then Blackburn Rovers will attempt to reach a pre-contract agreement with Orlando City over the coming weeks to enable the player to officially join the club on a permanent basis when the 2024 summer transfer window opens.

Stoke City 0-3 Blackburn Rovers: Jon Dahl Tomasson's men close on play-off  places - BBC Sport

“The club will make no further comment on the matter at this time.”

Stoke hope to have clearance to select their own deadline signing Mllion Manhoef this weekend while Niall Ennis, who completed a deadline day move from Blackburn to Stoke for an undisclosed fee of about £500,000, is in contention for his full debut.

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