Blackburn Rovers’ dream summer transfer window includes a Mali starlet to lead the attack

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Valérien Ismaël will have his first pre-season and summer transfer window with Blackburn Rovers, with a lot of change expected at the club during this period.

After a tough initial start to his Blackburn Rovers tenure, Ismaël had an encouraging end to the Championship season at Ewood Park as they won four of their final five fixtures.

A win in their final game of the campaign against Sheffield United could have seen them sneak their way into a playoff position; however, they would only be able to muster a draw at Bramall Lane.

Yet, this has given encouragement to fans ahead of the 2025/26 Championship season that if Ismaël is given the resources, he could lead a charge towards the play-offs once again.

Blackburn Rovers have already been busy in the summer transfer window at this point and are expected to continue their activity, while also seeing some of their players leave Ewood Park.

EFL Analysis have taken a look at what a dream summer transfer window would look like for the Lancashire club.

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Blackburn need to reinforce the centre of defence

Rovers have already bid farewell to Danny Batth, who departed the club after the expiration of his contract, opting to join Derby County instead of remaining at Ewood Park.

While loanee Dion Sanderson returned to Birmingham City ahead of the upcoming season.

This has left the club quite light at the heart of defence, meaning they need to explore a number of options to replace the pair.

They may be forced to sign a central defender on a free contract due to the financial situation at Rovers; however, they have been heavily linked to one centre back this summer, Steve Kapuadi.

The DR Congo international is currently playing for Legia Warsaw and has spoken previously about a move to Rovers being unlikely; he did not rule it out, and so this would still make him a top target for the Lancashire club.

Rovers are in need of forward options

Ismaël has seen Andreas Weimann depart the club after the expiration of his contract, joining Batth at Derby County under their former Rover manager John Eustace.

Meanwhile, Tyrhys Dolan is currently a target for a number of Championship clubs, with the winger entertaining the idea of exploring options away from Blackburn.

He has been offered a new contract at Ewood Park; however, it looks more and more unlikely he will opt to sign an extension.

Blackburn have already made one signing in a wing position, Dion De Neve, and they have been linked with another winger, Marwan Al-Sahafi, to join the club.

The Lancashire club would love to bring in another couple of forward options to replace the goals and assists that will be lost with the departure of Weimann and Dolan.

A striker that could be an option would be Luis Suarez, who was the top scorer in the Segunda Division in Spain last season for Almeria, or a player the club have been linked to at times this summer, Mohamed Guindo.

Retaining a number of key players

Blackburn Rovers have already seen a number of players leave the club, and there have been a number of other key individuals who have been linked with moves away from Ewood Park.

Club captain Lewis Travis has been linked with moves to both Derby County and Wrexham, while Callum Brittain has also been subject to speculation around an exit.

Fans and Ismaël will be hopeful that they decide to stay, and if they do wish to leave, then they may hope it is not made easy to achieve an exit.

A desire to strengthen the centre of midfield

Rovers have already made moves in the transfer market to strengthen the centre of midfield, with Sidnei Tavares joining the club on a three-year deal.

He was signed for an undisclosed fee from Moreirense after a good campaign in the Portuguese top flight last season.

However, he has already suffered an injury in pre-season for Rovers, so there may be a need to further strengthen the number of options in midfield.

Currently there are a number of good options available in midfield for free who are training with the PFA, and Rovers may wish to explore these options.

The most high-profile player who can operate in this position is Tom Davies, who may be the box-to-box midfielder the club needs.

The window does not shut until September 1, and a lot could change in that time, but this would be a productive summer for Blackburn Rovers.