Were it not for the coronavirus pandemic, and subsequent suspension of the football season, it would be transfer talk that would likely be dominating these pages and social media chatter.

Rovers have had their fair share of transfer sagas over the years, and on this day in summers gone by, it was strikers that were on the agenda.

Who can forget the Volcanic ash cloud of 2010 that scuppered Rovers’ invitation to Robert Lewandwski to watch their home match with Everton in May 2010, and subsequently ended their hopes of signing the 21-year-old Polish striker, then with Lech Poznan.

But Lewandowksi wasn’t the only striker on Sam Allardyce’s wishlist, with the Rovers boss warning ‘we need a striker now’ on this day in 2010, admitting Rovers couldn’t waste any time in their search for more firepower.

Lancashire Telegraph:

As well as Lewandowski, Lens’ Aruna Dindane, and Lyon’s Frederic Piquionne also emerged as Rovers targets having spent the season on loan at Portsmouth.

While Lewandowski looked set for Borussia Dortmund, and Wolves and Panathinaikos linked with Ivory Coast international Dindane, Allardyce stressed: “With regards to finding a striker we have to do it now." There is nothing like the present if the one we want is available. If they end up at the World Cup then it suddenly gets much harder.

"Everyone seems to be ready to be shut for business during the World Cup to watch it.”

In the end it was another former Portsmouth man, Benjani, who Allardyce signed that summer.

The previous summer, on May 13 2009, it was an audacious move for Barcelona wonderkid that Allardyce was plotting.

The Rovers boss was alerted to the Spanish 18-year-old after he was made available for a season-long loan next campaign by the La Liga giants.

Allardyce knew he would face stiff competition, but in the end had to accept defeat as the youngster stayed put at the Nou Camp, going on to score seven times in 12 appearances the following season.

Rovers meanwhile, splashed out £6m to sign 21-year-old Croatian striker Nikola Kalinic from Hadjuk Split later that summer.

Five years earlier it was one of Allardyce’s predecessor’s, Graeme Souness who was in the market for a forward.

Rangers attacker Peter Lovenkrands was one one of several names under consideration as Rovers began plotting for the 2004/05 campaign, with the Dane having scored 13 times for Souness’ old club.

Lancashire Telegraph:

Tomasz Radzinski, then at Everton, was also another name to be mooted, with Rovers having tried to sign him in the January window of 2004.

Souness did add to his attacking ranks that summer with the acquisition of Paul Dickov and then again in the mid-season window, with the season-saving buy of Jon Stead from Huddersfield.

One summer target that did come off for Rovers was Morten Gamst Pedersen, the Norwegian winger arriving from Tromso.

That was despite the emergence of interest from Manchester United, on this day in 2004.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was reported to be on the trail of the 22-year-old who would cost around £2 million.

Souness had said the Norwegians would have to drop their asking price if Rovers were to move in, and as fate would have it, Pedersen’s debut would come against United in August 2004.

In 2001, Souness was busy preparing his squad for a Premier League return and flew out to Holland to watch a top target.

However, Rovers were also pouring cold water on links to a number of reported targets.

Despite intense speculation, the club distanced themselves from reports about a £7m move for England international Nicky Butt.

Lancashire Telegraph:

West Ham defender Ian Pearce was also linked with a Rovers return, but again that was dismissed by chief executive John Williams, while a move for Chelsea midfielder Dennis Wise was  also appearing unlikely, despite Souness’ previous attempts to bring him to Ewood Park.

Robbie Fowler had also been linked, to which Williams responded: "Graeme has always rated Robbie but he isn't serious about bringing him to Blackburn."

"I think it was Graeme who first brought him into the Liverpool team but he's not part of the plans we are currently working on."

In 2006 it was Rovers' bid to keep hold of a striker which dominated the back page, Mark Hughes insisting he was 'more than confident' of retaining the services of Craig Bellamy after a stunning debut season at Ewood.

"I'm as confident as I can be about any player," said Hughes.

"We want to keep our best players, we're not in the business of selling them. We're a top six side and we're looking to kick on, and you don't do that by selling your best players.

"I'm more than confident that Craig will be here next season."

That confidence as misplaced however, the Welshman moving to Liverpool for £6m the following month.