Blackburn Rovers Could Lose £8.7 Million-Rated Ace This Summer
Blackburn Rovers face a difficult task in keeping hold of some key players this summer as clubs in the Premier League and the Championship are set to come calling.
According to a report from the Daily Express, newly-promoted Premier League side Ipswich Town are leading the race for Blackburn centre-forward Sam Gallagher, having previously registered interest in the 28-year-old back in January. In fact, journalist Nick Mashiter revealed that the Suffolk-based club submitted two bids for the former Southampton frontman, with the second being worth up to £1.5 million, which is slightly under his £1.7 million market value, as per Transfermarkt. Both offers from Ipswich were rejected by the Lancashire outfit.
The Tractor Boys ultimately brought Kieffer Moore to the club on loan and Ali Al-Hamadi from AFC Wimbledon permanently, so a deal with Ipswich never came to fruition. However, Kieran McKenna’s men were not the only side interested in Gallagher’s services. The Northern Echo reported during the winter market that Sunderland were also keeping tabs on the striker as then-head coach Michael Beale was keen to bolster his rather inexperienced forward line.
Nevertheless, Gallagher remained at Blackburn Rovers and the club activated a one-year extension clause in his contract to keep him at Ewood Park for at least another year, meaning any suitors would have to cough up a transfer fee this summer.
Despite being promoted to the Premier League, Ipswich boss McKenna is reportedly determined to go back in for Gallagher after Moore’s loan deal expired at Portman Road. Furthermore, the Express are claiming that Swansea City are hoping to battle it out with the Tractor Boys for Gallagher’s signature.
Writer’s View
Ipswich’s incessant interest in Gallagher is interesting. The number ‘9’ bagged merely three goals and recorded three assists in 24 league appearances for Blackburn Rovers this season and certainly didn’t pull up any trees. However, McKenna’s recruitment has been exceptional so far, meaning he must see something in the player that he likes, hence why the East Anglian side have been so adamant about acquiring the ex-Birmingham City star.
Having reportedly rejected a £1.5 million bid for Gallagher, Ipswich or Swansea may have to offer a minimum of £2 million for Blackburn to consider letting him go. This is certainly a deal to keep an eye on this summer.
