Blackburn Rovers transfer state of play in the last week of the window

The window closes on Tuesday, January 31, one that wasn’t expected to be busy prior to the World Cup break, but now feels pivotal to their intentions for the remainder of the season.

It was expected they would have broken their duck by now, only for a move for goalkeeper Nikita Haikin to be put on the back-burner.

The 27-year-old is a free agent after leaving Bodo/Glimt at the end of 2022, but was all set to sign an 18-month deal at Ewood Park.

Israeli-born and a Russia international, Haikin is a UK national so there would have been no concerns over a work permit for a player known to Rovers director of football Gregg Broughton.

His arrival was set to coincide with Aynsley Pears’ departure on loan to Portsmouth. However, when that didn't get over the line, it in turn saw the Haikin deal fall through.

With finances tight, Rovers weren’t willing to have another goalkeeper on their books without Pears’ immediate future being resolved.

Rovers’ thinking is that Pears, who has impressed in the cup competitions this season, would benefit from more regular first-team football after only 13 appearances since arriving at the club in 2020.

He is also into the final 18 months of his deal, and aged 24, with the prospect of a good loan spell behind him, he could then command a return on investment in the summer.

Haikin’s role would therefore have been to step in as competition to Thomas Kaminski, while Rovers would then have decisions to make in the summer over Joe Hilton and Jordan Eastham who are both out of contract.

There is still a chance that Pears could get a move this month, with another League One side said to have shown interest, but Rovers wouldn’t want to leave themselves short and would need to find another goalkeeping option.

In defence, Rovers’ strongest interest is in Hibernian central defender Ryan Porteous.

The club tabled a bid for the 23-year-old last week who played for Hibs in their Scottish Cup defeat to Hearts on Sunday.

Since then, Watford have stepped up their interest, but no agreement has been reached either, leaving Porteous’ future unresolved.

It has even led to reports that he could opt to see out his contract and move for free in the summer, though that is a situation Hibs would prefer to avoid in their quest to recoup some funds for the Scotland international.

Rovers, and Watford, are both free to speak with Porteous about a pre-contract deal should they wish, even once the window has closed.

A central defensive signing in this window is with an eye on forward planning, with Daniel Ayala’s contract up in the summer.

At right back, Liverpool right back Calvin Ramsay has been rumoured, but those links have been played down, as has the prospect of him leaving on loan this month by Jurgen Klopp.

Jon Dahl Tomasson had suggested that Callum Brittain’s injury could open the door to Rovers strengthening in that position this month, though the form of Joe Rankin-Costello has helped to fill that void.

Fortuna Sittard left back George Cox is another player to have been linked this month.

As for potential outgoings, Tayo Edun remains a Rovers player, despite the expectation earlier in the window that he would join Charlton Athletic on loan for the remainder of the season.

Edun has since been involved in all four matches in 2023, while Charlton having now signed Ipswich Town left back Matt Penney on loan, putting in doubt a move for the 24-year-old.

Louie Annesley saw his time at Rovers come to an end after four years as he joined Dundalk FC on a long-term deal.

James Brown secured a loan move to Doncaster, after his Stockport spell was cut short earlier in the month.

Rovers are otherwise light of options at the back in their youth ranks to any more loans out are unlikely at this stage.

Midfield is an area of the pitch many supporters would like to see strengthened, but links have been sparse since the Gavin Kilkenny mooted loan was ruled out.

However, this is a position where overseas options are thought to have been considered.

A midfield signing would though go against the rhetoric from last summer when Rovers put their faith in Academy prospects Adam Wharton and Jake Garrett to supplement established players in Lewis Travis and John Buckley, with a loan player in Tyler Morton the only incoming.

Jared Harlock has trained regularly with the first-team this season but is yet to make his debut.

Rovers could be open to a loan move for the 20-year-old should the right opportunity arise.

Rovers’ priority is on the attacking area of the pitch.

That is where Rovers are light of an option since the departure of George Hirst.

The focus of supporters is currently on the pursuits of Deniz Undav and Joe Gelhardt of Brighton & Hove Albion and Leeds United respectively.

However, other forwards are under consideration.

The financials with Brighton for Undav are understood to have been agreed but things haven’t progressed at the pace that was expected.

Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi has given his blessing for the 26-year-old to leave on loan this month, but things have yet to progress in terms of a prospective move to Rovers.

The fears are that either Brighton, or the player, are holding out for something else in the remaining days of the window, but the hope is that a frustrating wait could yet end in a positive conclusion.

Earlier in the window it was revealed that Rovers had held talks with Leeds over the potential of a move for Gelhardt.

They weren’t alone, with around half the Championship credited with interest in the 20-year-old.

It was understood that at that time Gelhardt wasn’t Rovers’ No.1 target, but he remains a live option and they are now said to be competing with former manager Tony Mowbray and Sunderland for his signature.

It has become quite the saga for Gelhardt, with strong reports last week that a deal to former club Wigan Athletic was all but agreed.

His signing would come at a cost as was the case with Ian Poveda last season, with Leeds wanting the best financial package for Gelhardt whose current wage is more than double Rovers’ top earner.

Both Undav and Gelhardt have played in the FA Cup, so wouldn’t be available this weekend, and could therefore be kept by their parent clubs until after the weekend with both still left in the competition.

In terms of outgoings, Rovers wouldn't sanction anything until they feel they are adequately covered in attack.

Links between Dilan Markanday and Motherwell were played down earlier in the window, and the 21-year-old has also outlined his intention to fight for a place in Tomasson’s plans in the second half of the season.