Christian Maghoma is keen on a return to English football amid links with a free transfer move to Rovers.

The central defender cut short his time at Polish side Arka Gdynia, his contract mutually terminated with still a year to run on the three year deal he signed in 2018.

Maghoma played 36 times for Arka across his two year stay, but the last of those appearances came in March, before his decision to depart after the club’s relegation.

Arka had undergone a series of changes in the wake of relegation to the second tier, with new ownership and management, as well as the players taking a cut in their salaries after dropping out of the Ekstraklasa.

However, the 22-year-old explained those factors were involved in his decision to leave, something he said he did with a heavy heart, but to be closer to his family ahead of the birth of his son.

At the time of his departure, Maghoma said: “I was a young boy when I came here, but now I'm leaving as a man. I am not leaving because I did not want to accept my salary reduction, I am not leaving because I do not like Arka Gdynia, but I am leaving because sometimes in life you have to make a decision.

“I expect my son to be born next week and after talking to the club we realised together that that it will be the best possible solution for both parties.”

Now on the look-out for a new club, the central defender has been reportedly interesting Rovers who are searching for defensive recruits.

Tosin Adarabioyo has now returned to parent club Manchester City, and despite Rovers’ interest in bringing the 22-year-old back to Ewood Park, that appears unlikely at this stage.

Charlie Mulgrew’s four year stay at the club is also likely to come to an end, leaving Tony Mowbray in need of reinforcements to a defensive which despite the improvements made on last season, they shipped 23 goals in their final 11 games to slip out of play-off contention.

Rovers have invested heavily in their European scouting over the course of the last 18 months, and although yet to bear fruition, goalkeeping and defensive targets are thought to have been drawn up.

They missed out on two overseas goalkeepers last summer, in their bid to replace David Raya, and could revisit the European market once again with a French ‘keeper among those to have been tracked at this stage.

Maghoma, who came through the ranks at Tottenham, was previously thought to have been on the radar of Rangers, but their move for Leon Balogun, after his release from Brighton, sees his bid for a new club go on.

Rovers haven’t commented on the reported interest in Maghoma, but have scouted the Polish league, having been on Lech Poznan winger Kamil Jozwiak during the January window.

The once-capped Democratic Republic of Congo central defender has also interested FC Twente, but is thought to be keen on testing himself in the EFL, having not made an appearance during a loan spell at Yeovil Town in 2015/16.

Maghoma failed to make an appearance for Spurs’ first-team, but was a regular for their Under-23s, and played in three EFL Trophy matches.