Blackburn Rovers are walking a fine tightrope with their summer transfer window rebuild as they seek to resolve the futures of several key players.
Valerien Ismael's squad has one new face ahead of pre-season training, which will start in two week's time. Dion De Neve is the only new signing made this summer, though the club are working actively to bring in more additions.
As important as fresh blood is, it's the decision-making around the futures of several current star men that may have the biggest influence on the success of 2025/26. Rovers are at a crossroads and have to tread carefully to balance their finances and ambitions.
Putting aside Danny Batth and Andi Weimann, whose ongoing contract saga is a frustrating narrative-builder, finding a positive outcome on contract talks with Callum Brittain, Lewis Travis and Sondre Tronstad is critical.
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Rovers have failed to quash a growing trend of players running down their contracts again. After falling short with Darragh Lenihan, Ryan Nyambe and Joe Rothwell, plus Ben Brereton Diaz 12 months later, the club appeared to have learned their lesson under Gregg Broughton.
In 2023, there were seven first-team renewals. It allowed the club to maximise value on the sale of Adam Wharton and Sam Szmodics. Since the latter penned a five-year deal, Yuri Ribeiro is the only first-team player to sign new terms in 18 months.
That's left them in a scenario where Tyrhys Dolan could, and likely will, walk away for nothing. Though a club will have to pay compensation, it will not be the market value of a 23-year-old with 200 Championship games under his belt.
Rovers simply can't afford the same scenario with Brittain, Travis and Tronstad, who will be in their final 12 months come July. As The Lancashire Telegraph has reported, the club have engaged their representatives for talks.
Contract renewals are never easy. It is not about what the club want but the players and their agents too. There is gamesmanship, rival interest and plenty of other factors which make it a difficult process.
It is no secret that Wrexham have enquired about Travis and can afford to pay the Rovers skipper more than Blackburn. But it is not always just down to money, though it often can be, there are other ways to incentivise people. John Eustace did not leave Blackburn Rovers because Derby County simply offered more cash, for example.
If Rovers want to continue pursuing an overseas recruitment model, the merits of which were heavily discussed in our interview with Andy Watson, then it's vital they have players with Championship experience in the building too.
Not just your squad players but key performers, who set the culture of a club and hold together the dressing room. 2023/24 should remain a reminder for everyone at Ewood Park as to how quickly things can turn if the balance of a squad is not right.
Rovers have to keep looking overseas to maximise their budget. That will only work if they retain their best players who have 200-plus league appearances that are needed for success. As they're aware, they cost too much to replace - hence why they're shopping abroad in the first place.
It is one thing to lose a Weimann or Batth, though their futures still remain undecided. It is another for the captain, star right-back and reigning Player of the Year to leave.
There is no certainty that will happen but it is fair for Blackburn Rovers fans to fear speculation. For too long, it has pointed to the direction of travel.
The club must wrestle back the narrative this summer. It is imperative for their immediate success and their transfer policy.
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