Blackburn Rovers must make a move for Roma starlet as he says ‘it is time to get out of Italy’

Add as preferred source on Google

Blackburn Rovers are a club who are among the most active in the transfer market this summer, as they have bid farewell to a number of stars, but they have also welcomed several new faces to Ewood Park.

Valerien Ismael will be hopeful he can build off the club’s fine finish to the last campaign, as they narrowly missed out on the Championship play-offs.

It took some time for the team to adapt after John Eustace left Ewood Park to head to Derby County in February, but Valerien Ismael started to see results in the final weeks of the campaign that will give hope for supporters heading into the new season.

Tyrhys Dolan was key to the performances last season; however, he has chosen to leave the club at the end of his contract, with the attacker yet to find a new destination.

The loss of Dolan could have a seismic impact due to their dependence on him to galvanise them in attack at times; however, there may be the perfect replacement who is ready to leave Roma.

• READ MORE: Blackburn Rovers outline plan to keep £1m teenage sensation despite Arsenal and Man Utd interest

Blackburn should look to acquire Kevin Zefi

Blackburn are looking for deals in the summer transfer window due to their lack of funds in comparison to their Championship rivals, and so far they have been looking in lesser-explored markets.

Rovers have so far bought players from the top flights in Belgium and Portugal, while they have been linked to Steve Kapuadi from Legia Warsaw in the Polish top division, and he has spoken about a potential move to Ewood Park.

Now, the Lancashire club should make a concerted effort to sign Kevin Zefi from Roma this summer.

Dolan was a unique player for Blackburn due to the pace and running ability he had with the ball, allowing him to create chances for himself and his teammates.

This is a skill set Kevin Zefi has and has demonstrated during his time underage with both Roma and Ireland.

Zefi has explosive pace and a direct style of play, which makes him a threat to opponents whenever he receives the ball; he is always looking to combine with teammates, and he enjoys isolating defenders to take them on and then create chances.

This is the exact sort of player Rovers need to replace Dolan, and in a recent interview with the Irish Independent, Zefi has spoken about how it is now time to leave Italy.

• READ MORE: Blackburn Rovers’ five most expensive sales, including 100-cap international and Champions League winner

Kevin Zefi’s comments on his future

Zefi was spotted training with Sligo Rovers last week, which led to questions about his future with Roma, and he has now addressed it with his most recent interview.

The Ireland underage star is frustrated by the lack of first-team opportunities since he left Inter Milan for Roma in January 2024; it is understood Zefi will be allowed to leave the Italian capital for free this summer, with the only stipulation in any deal being a sell-on fee.

He said: “I just think it’s time to get out of Italy. It hasn’t worked out for me.

“I played with Sligo because I wanted to see where my match sharpness was. (It was) to see if I could get some interest from that game, more so (from) England. I’m not going to rule anything out.

““I’m keeping my options open. I’d love to go to a Championship team, but I know the Netherlands and Belgium could suit me as well. This is just a setback for me. I know with hard work, I can get to where I deserve to be.