Blackburn Rovers Draw Up Transfer Plan After Windfall ‘Confirmed’
Blackburn Rovers director of football Gregg Broughton has revealed the club’s plans for the upcoming summer transfer window after confirming that they expect to receive another big fee at the end of the season.
It’s been a turbulent season at Ewood Park. Having sat in the lower reaches of the Championship for the majority of the campaign, they made the decision to sack Jon Dahl Tomasson in February following a run of eight games without a win. They immediately made the decision to bring in ex-Birmingham City boss John Eustace, although their fortunes are yet to improve.
The Lancashire club are still awaiting their first victory under their new manager’s stewardship in a run that also extends to eight games. Despite that, they have drawn six of their last seven.
It is still unclear which division Blackburn will be plying their trade in next season. They currently sit 17th, although are just three points above the drop zone with eight games remaining. The outcome of this may have a major bearing on their summer activity, although they do have significant funds to play with.
The 1995 Premier League champions have already received a sizeable sum this year after they sold academy graduate Adam Wharton to Crystal Palace in February for an initial fee of £18 million. However, another big chunk is expected to arrive should Brentford goalkeeper David Raya move to Arsenal in a permanent deal after joining the Gunners on a season-long loan back in August.
The temporary transfer includes an option to buy for £27 million, with Rovers believed to be due 12.5% of any profit that the Bees make on his departure. Brentford paid Blackburn £3 million for the Spaniard’s services in 2019, meaning the overall profit would be £24 million (not taking into account this season’s loan fee). This could see another £3 million make its way to Ewood Park.
Speaking to BBC Radio Lancashire, Broughton revealed his recommendation for how the club utilise the funds over the course of the next 12 months:
“Transfer business over the last 12 months will bring income streams into the club. We had two or three players going out of the club on fees last summer, and since then we’ve had Adam Wharton leave in the club’s record sale and the David Raya deal will land next summer as well.”
