Rovers hope to net Fulham’s Etuhu (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Blackburn Rovers & Premier League Table & Results
Rovers hope to net Fulham’s Etuhu
9:00am Friday 3rd August 2012 in Blackburn Rovers & Premier League Table & Results
By Andy Cryer, Blackburn Rovers reporter
BLACKBURN Rovers are hoping to have Dickson Etuhu on board in time for this evening’s pre-season friendly in Holland – as they look set to make their seventh summer signing.
The Lancashire Telegraph understands Rovers were close to agreeing a fee for the Fulham midfielder last night, in the region of £1.5million, and are confident of sealing the deal today.
The 30-year-old Nigerian is keen to come to East Lancashire, having talked to former Cottagers team mate Danny Murphy, with personal terms understood to not be a problem.
Rovers were last night attempting to finalise the transfer with Fulham but were hopeful there would be no stumbling blocks.
Meanwhile Rovers have made a formal bid for Huddersfield Town hot shot Jordan Rhodes as they do battle with Premier League Fulham for his signature.
It is understood a bid for the 22-year-old Scottish international was made by Rovers yesterday, after being given the go-ahead by owners Venky’s.
It would take an offer in excess of £6million to land the highly-rated youngster, but Rovers are willing to offer a lucrative individual package in an attempt to see off their Premier League rivals.
Rovers have been quietly searching for a central midfielder to partner Murphy, since being rejected in their efforts to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder Adrien Silva.
They have already added Leon Best, Murphy, Nuno Gomes, Fabio Nunes, Edinho and Paulo Jorge to their squad for the coming Championship campaign - and are planning a few more yet.
The addition of Etuhu is likely to be their last move in the midfield department, but two strikers and a versatile defender are still on their wish list.
Rovers travelled to Holland yesterday, ahead of their two games in three days this weekend.
Rovers play Go Ahead Eagles in Deventer this evening before travelling to NEC Nijmegen for a clash on Sunday.
Even if Etuhu is not signed in time for this evening, Rovers would hope to get pen to paper in time for their second match on tour.
The 30-year-old started his career at Manchester City, before signing for Preston in 2002 for £300,000.
He made more than 150 appearances for Preston in four years at the club, before enjoying spells at Norwich City and Sunderland.
The 6ft 2ins midfielder has been at Fulham since 2008 but has been told this summer he is surplus to requirements at Craven Cottage.
Comments(35)
carlmc1
says...
9:16am Fri 3 Aug 12
I reckon we might name the riverside after one of our former strikers. The new stand will be the Norman Bell End”
French Rover
says...
9:17am Fri 3 Aug 12
RobbyRover
says...
9:23am Fri 3 Aug 12
ronnie clayton
says...
9:25am Fri 3 Aug 12
He Looks So Good In Training
says...
9:27am Fri 3 Aug 12
Judge Nic Sanders
says...
9:28am Fri 3 Aug 12
carlmc1
says...
9:35am Fri 3 Aug 12
Judge Nic Sanders wrote:True
The Bell End stands next to the tunnel
Nurseman
says...
9:45am Fri 3 Aug 12
Judge Nic Sanders wrote:Crude but funny!
The Bell End stands next to the tunnel
Only1Garner
says...
10:12am Fri 3 Aug 12
adcr
says...
10:16am Fri 3 Aug 12
A Darener
says...
10:19am Fri 3 Aug 12
Roverstildeath
says...
10:29am Fri 3 Aug 12
Rovers 1495
says...
10:53am Fri 3 Aug 12
carlmc1
says...
10:55am Fri 3 Aug 12
Rovers 1495 wrote:We are at a bit of a cross Rhodes with that one!
OK, and what about Rhodes ? Why is that taking longer ?
Sherwoodforest
says...
10:56am Fri 3 Aug 12
davemal
says...
10:58am Fri 3 Aug 12
Change the manager and things will definitely improve.
Rovers 1495
says...
11:03am Fri 3 Aug 12
carlmc1 wrote:Or the Venkys went to the cash point and were refused 6 million
Rovers 1495 wrote:We are at a bit of a cross Rhodes with that one!
OK, and what about Rhodes ? Why is that taking longer ?
hasslem hasslem
says...
11:08am Fri 3 Aug 12
.
now this lad looks quality.
.
maybe he's the new steven gerrard
http://menmedia.co.u
k/manchestereveningn
ews/sport/football/m
anchester_united/s/1
584856_blackburn-rov
ers-loss-is-manchest
er-uniteds-gain---er
ic-harrison
simongarnerswindowcleaner
says...
11:23am Fri 3 Aug 12
gleechy
says...
11:27am Fri 3 Aug 12
They have got together a bunch of conmen to carry out their wishes.
The Rovers have temporarily been hijacked,normal service will only resume when they go with their underhanded hangers on.
They can sign who they like, and when they do those players will be half the player after a season with these chancers.
Just my opinion, but it's surprising to see short memories hoping for better things from this lot.
Road Runner Road Runner
says...
11:34am Fri 3 Aug 12
French Rover wrote:Morning Mr French,
The fee sounds quite good for a decent midfielder who will add some much needed bite and strength to our midfield. This is an area that we have been weak in for a number of seasons now. Just need a defender still and Rhodes from Huddersfield. Now he would be an excellent signing....
Indeed Rhodes would be a good capture, but, and, without sounding negative would he reach the giddy heights under the 'Odious Ones' stewardship ?
This is where my doubts rise ? Absolute no faith in his management skills.
Potentially I share your view in that the two mentioned players could be quality additions into our already threadbare squad and are what are needed since the departure of J Jones from midfield and obviously the injury to Best.
We will see, I guess ?
Arte et labore
Port Vale 1 Rovers 4
says...
11:36am Fri 3 Aug 12
Nurseman wrote:Another warm welcome to a new player .Good luck ,Hopefully you will be managed by a PROPER manager soon .
Judge Nic Sanders wrote:Crude but funny!
The Bell End stands next to the tunnel
KEAN OUT
Port Vale 1 Rovers 4
says...
11:38am Fri 3 Aug 12
Port Vale 1 Rovers 4 wrote:BELL END OUT
Nurseman wrote:Another warm welcome to a new player .Good luck ,Hopefully you will be managed by a PROPER manager soon .
Judge Nic Sanders wrote:Crude but funny!
The Bell End stands next to the tunnel
KEAN OUT
oops he aint signed yet but good luck if he signs
YarkshahRover
says...
11:42am Fri 3 Aug 12
Rover Pete
says...
11:59am Fri 3 Aug 12
He could get the present Man. City team into the Championship in one season.
Why no new defenders? If some or all of the defenders who have been staed to be leaving do leave we will have only juniors to step in.
Keen O to Get Kean Out
says...
12:11pm Fri 3 Aug 12
carlmc1
says...
12:13pm Fri 3 Aug 12
simongarnerswindowclGood shout
eaner wrote:
I bumped into Emile Heskey last weekend and he looks as fit as the proverbial butcher's mutt. Since he's scored so many goals against the Rovers I asked him why didn't he sign for us. He said he would if anybody wanted to ask him. He's currently a free agent with tons of experience and would be sheer class in the Championship. If anyone knows how to hold the ball up, it's Emile. He's also used to playing for 'smaller' teams like Wigan and Birmingham City, so it's not as if he would come just for the dosh. If the Rovers fans got behind him (instead of complaining that he doesn't score enough apart from against us) he'd be a brilliant signing. He won every trophy going with Liverpool apart from the Premiership and all he needs is people who really believe in him. He's as strong as an ox and would give anyone around him the chance to hit 20 goals in one season. After Jordan Slew and all the rest, here's a guy who is available, has put in the hard yards and is as solid a pro as they come. Buy! buy! buy!
MxMave
says...
12:19pm Fri 3 Aug 12
Keen O to Get Kean Out
says...
12:23pm Fri 3 Aug 12
MxMave wrote:Poinless signin any decent players, weve had good players ,, didnt work with the clown we've got ... my wife would make a better manager
If we do indeed sign Rhodes, where will he play? On his own up top in the classic 4-5-1 kean unterdefence formation? He will struggle to do anything when that gap between midfield and attack is so large as per last season.
AndyW
says...
12:37pm Fri 3 Aug 12
However, again, until Kean takes his incompetent backside elsewhere and allows a real manager to take over, it's all a bit irrelevant.
Love Rovers Hate Venkys
says...
12:55pm Fri 3 Aug 12
A Darener wrote:They can't fool us all. All though they've managed to con a few thousand into buying season tickets. Oh well, you know what they say about a fool and his money.
The Venky's certainly know how to fool people. They dangle carrots in front of the fans, then say oh well! we tried, but in the end we didn't get the player we wanted.
flyingv1
says...
1:10pm Fri 3 Aug 12
YarkshahRover wrote:Yes still applies. However clubs are able to sign "emergency" loans outside the window. Don't know the meaning of "emergency" as most seem to go through. Gives a chance to loan players from the Premiership in the early part of the season, when some players find they are not getting first team opportunities.
Do the transfer windows still apply outside the Premiership?.
RTID
says...
1:51pm Fri 3 Aug 12
I'm not sure whether he is better than Petrovic. Yes, some of his displays last season indicated he was struggling to get up to pace, but some of his long passing was excellent at times. Given a run of games could he not become a strong box to box midfielder? They seem to rate him in Serbia. A bit like the Kalinic situation, just as they start to get used to the pace we ship them out.
Also, I was under the impression that Murphy was bought to be the more defensively minded midfielder, and we were after someone like Adrien Silva to get into the box. There is no way Etuhu is going to score goals and get himself into the box. Seems as if Kean's plans have changed again. Another trait of Kean's tenure is his constant changing of players/game-plan. Flip-flopping from one idea to the next. If you want an attacking central midfielder then buy one and stick to your guns Kean!
This one sounds like a panic buy to me. The midfield would be slow, dull, and old. Not something to get anyone excited.
RTID
says...
1:53pm Fri 3 Aug 12
I'm not sure whether he is better than Petrovic. Yes, some of his displays last season indicated he was struggling to get up to pace, but some of his long passing was excellent at times. Given a run of games could he not become a strong box to box midfielder? They seem to rate him in Serbia. A bit like the Kalinic situation, just as they start to get used to the pace we ship them out.
Also, I was under the impression that Murphy was bought to be the more defensively minded midfielder, and we were after someone like Adrien Silva to get into the box. There is no way Etuhu is going to score goals and get himself into the box. Seems as if Kean's plans have changed again. Another trait of Kean's tenure is his constant changing of players/game-plan. Flip-flopping from one idea to the next. If you want an attacking central midfielder then buy one and stick to your guns Kean!
This one sounds like a panic buy to me. The midfield would be slow, dull, and old. Not something to get anyone excited.
carlmc1 says...
9:14am Fri 3 Aug 12