Five signings Valerien Ismael needs to make this summer at Blackburn Rovers including Colombian international

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Blackburn Rovers came within a whisker of reaching the Championship play-offs in 2024/25 despite a season full of disruption.

John Eustace grew impatient with the owners at the club and decided to take the managerial job at Derby County mid-season, saving the Rams from relegation.

Blackburn Rovers appointed Valerien Ismael as his replacement, with the Frenchman initially struggling. However, a late six-match unbeaten run saw them finish seventh, missing out on the play-offs by just two points.

Ismael would love to be given the pen to the Rovers’ chequebook to bring in the players to get them back to the Premier League; however, it is more likely he will suffer the same fate as his predecessors in the summer transfer window as he looks for savvy deals and those out of contract.

EFL Analysis brings you the five players Blackburn Rovers should sign to help them maintain a top-half finish and hopefully Championship play-off contention.

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Jamal Lewis

The Northern Ireland international is out of contract with Newcastle United this summer.

Jamal Lewis was touted as a future Premier League star after his debut Premier League season with Norwich City in the top flight, earning a move to the northeast of England.

His career on the Tyne started well, but he has been lost in the wilderness for the past few seasons, as he had loan spells at Watford and São Paulo.

Owen Beck’s loan from Liverpool was a successful one, and he will be hard to replace, but Lewis may be the perfect option as the 27-year-old looks to reignite his career once again, as his quality is without a doubt.

Jack Stephens

The Southampton captain will be hopeful of a contract extension at the club he has spent 14 years with; however, at present, there is no offer on the table.

Blackburn are set to bid farewell to Danny Batth and Dion Sanderson this summer, so recruits at the back are required.

While Jack Stephens struggled in the Premier League this season, along with the whole Southampton squad, he has proven he is a quality defender in the Championship.

The potential absence of Batth will take a leader from the Blackburn squad too, a role Stephens has held within the Southampton dressing room for years, making him a perfect signing.

Jeff Hendrick

While Jeff Hendrick may not be an obvious signing for Blackburn, he has all the qualities that Ismaël requires in a midfielder, and he can be brought in on a short-term deal.

Hendrick is a player who spent many years in the Premier League and representing Ireland at the international level; his experience would be a welcome addition to an already strong central midfield.

The 33-year-old is entering the twilight of his career, so he would be a much-needed player to add to the squad rather than becoming a first-choice central midfielder.

His qualities as a box-to-box midfielder are what the club needs, and he would do a serviceable job for a season.

Luis Suarez

Blackburn are in desperate need of a striker that will bury the ball into the net when the chance arrives.

While Yūki Ōhashi has become a fan favourite from his work off the ball, with his relentless pressing and inclusion in the build-up, he is not clinical.

Enter Luis Suarez, the Colombian striker who is currently playing his football at Almeria in the Segunda Division of Spanish football.

He finished as the top goal scorer in the division with 27 goals from a club that finished sixth and has international pedigree, having represented Colombia on four occasions.

Suarez would bring a crucial dimension to the Blackburn attack that has been absent since the departure of Ben Brereton-Diaz.

Farid Alfa-Ruprecht

The Manchester City winger is a player expected to star for the Premier League club in the near future.

While he is yet to start for the club, he has been impressing in the Premier League Two, scoring five goals in seven appearances.

Alfa-Ruprecht was signed by Man City after impressing at youth level in Germany with Hamburger SV, thanks to his creative ability and work rate.

Those two qualities are exactly what Blackburn will be losing if Tyrhys Dolan opts to leave the club at the end of his contract this month.

While Alfa-Ruprecht will not be a long-term signing, Blackburn will hope he can have the same impact that Ben Doak had at Middlesbrough this season.