It had been a relatively quiet summer at Ewood Park, prior to the season getting underway. But a permanent deal for Adam Armstrong could kickstart a busy final week at Ewood Park, with one deal possible even before deadline day gets underway.

A change for the 2018/19 season means teams can secure permanent transfers until 5pm on Thursady, August 9, while a later deadline of Friday, August 31 is exclusively for loan deals.

So what business would Rovers look to do before the first window closes?

KEEPER COVER?

Something that Rovers have been looking to do, though other areas of the team have overtaken it in priority, is bring in a new goalkeeper.

The thinking would be that someone with Championship experience could push David Raya more than Jayson Leutwiler who is yet to play in the second tier.

That would also then allow 20-year-old goalkeeper Andrew Fisher, who is well thought of, gain valuable experience out on loan.

Bristol City stopper Frank Fielding was one option which was sounded out earlier in the summer, but a lack of options for the Robins, and a subsequent injury which will rule the 30-year-old for several weeks, means that is no longer likely.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Rovers would prefer a permanent option, while clubs are unlikely to loan out a goalkeeper knowing they are unlikely to be guaranteed game-time.

So while not a priority, it could be one Rovers look to get over the line.

DEFENSIVE ADDITION?

It is hard to see the Lenihan-Mulgrew partnership broken up any time soon, suspension or injury apart, but Tony Mowbray has gone on record to say another centre half is on his wishlist.

Scott Wharton and Matty Platt have both been allowed to leave on loan, to Lincoln City and Accrington Stanley, respectively, though that is unlikely to have changed Mowbray’s thinking.

They have cover, in the form of Paul Downing and moving Derrick Williams across from full-back, but another addition would prove useful.

Charlton Athletic’s Patrick Bauer is a deal that has rumbled on all summer. Charlton are holding out for £2m and seemingly not keen to sell, although the German, who has just 12 months left to run on his current deal, has stated he won't be signing a new contract at The Valley.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Targeting players whose deals are running out has been a feature of Rovers’ transfer business under Mowbray, but they won’t go to the levels that Charlton are looking for, and with his defensive partner Jason Pearce having limped off against Sunderland, Bauer could well be staying put.

It is a saga that is set to rumble on - but one Rovers will hold out for given they would prefer a permanent option in that position. 

MIDFIELD SUPRIRSE?

Yes Rovers are well stocked in this area, and the development of Lewis Travis has given Mowbray another option in the middle of the park.

But there was a feeling earlier in the summer that a new central midfield may be Rovers’ marquee signing of the summer.

That seemed to have gone cold following the arrival of Jacob Davenport, but links north of the border with a move for John McGinn are intriguing.

Rovers would need to likely splash out in the region of £3m to land the 23-year-old, also in the final year of his contract, but they do have the money to spend, and is certainly one to keep an eye on. 

Lancashire Telegraph:

Celtic have been long-term admirers of McGinn, who played in the friendly with Rovers in June, but are yet to stump up the cash needed.

Rovers won’t want to be used as a pawn in those negotiations, and while a new midfield signing remains unlikely, it is certainly an interesting development.

ATTACKERS THE KEY

Adam Armstrong, joining the week after Kasey Palmer signed on loan from Chelsea, provides Mowbray with extra options in attack.

But the Rovers boss is still keen to add at least one more forward, with a central striker high on the priority list.

Ex-Rovers loanee Sam Gallagher is one player understood to have been tracked, either on loan or on a permanent deal, as Rovers look for someone who could challenge Danny Graham for the central striker role.

Lancashire Telegraph:

That deal is the most likely of Rovers’ remaining business to be a loan, which could be done up until August 31, while Mowbray has also spoken about the possibility of players joining on loan with a view to make them permanent additions down the line.

A winger had been looked at earlier in the window, and while Harry Chapman would prove to be another popular addition, he is likely to remain part of Middlesbrough’s first-team set up for now.