Blackburn will finish in a respectable midtable position this season. With one game remaining, they could end up as high as 10th or as low as 13th. Each higher place means about 750 thousand pounds in extra funds. Finishing 10th would give the club an extra 2.25 million pounds which would be a huge windfall. The Walker Trustees also give the club a few million pounds every summer, as do the club's various sponsors. Combined with the players that are liable to be sold (see my earlier article) the club should have a decent amount of funds to reinvest.
Goals have been a problem all season, so a new striker is a necessity. The goalkeepers and defense are set for the most part, but the midfield could use a few new additions, both in the center and out wide. With that being said, here are my candidates to become new Blackburn players this summer.
Senijad IbricicIbricic is a young Bosnian midfielder who has been plying his trade in the Croatian league for the past 6 years. He would add some much needed flair and pace for Blackburn on the right wing. On his own he would be a valuable addition, but when you take into account his previous fruitful relationship with striker Niko Kalinic it seems like the perfect buy. Blackburn have previously sent scouts to check on him, and this summer may be the club's best chance of nabbing him.
Chance of Acquisition: 50%
Sale Price: 4 million pounds
*Transfer Rating: 8.5
Jamie O'HaraO'Hara came up through the ranks of Arsenal and later Tottenham, but he's been unable to nail down a first team spot for Spurs. With players such as Luka Modric, David Bentley, and Niko Kranjcar in front of him, that's not really surprising. That's not to say he's not a good player, as he's performed very well whilst away on loan, most recently to Portsmouth. He's a versatile midfielder who can play in the middle or out wide, with an eye for a pass and a good shot. He's also English which would help with the new "Homegrown Player" quotas.
Chance of Acquisition: 30%
Sale Price: 2 million pounds
Transfer Rating: 7.5
Aruna DindaneDindane spent the past season on-loan to Portsmouth from French club Lens, and his performances have been up and down. He's scored some great goals en route to leading Portsmouth to the FA Cup final. However, he's also had some horrendous misses and failed to impress in spells. Blackburn's biggest problem this season was a lack of goals, and I am skeptical that Dindane will be the man to solve this problem. He's cast in the same mould as Jason Roberts but with none of the upside of Niko Kalinic. The club needs a clinical finisher similar to Darren Bent, but manager Sam Allardyce seems enamored of Dindane.
Chance of Acquisition: 70%
Sale Price: 2 million - 4 million pounds
Transfer Rating: 5.5
Roberto SoldadoA name that's been bandied about as a possible solution to Blackburn's goal problem is Getafe's Spanish hitman, Roberto Soldado. Having come up through the ranks at Real Madrid is pedigree is under no question. He's been banging in goals for Getafe and has been capped twice for Spain. Because of this his price tag is high, and it would be a gamble for a small club like Blackburn to spend that much money on a single player. Also, it's unknown how he would adapt to the Premier League. I think the chance that he would be an expensive flop is too great for the club, and it's unlikely they will try to sign him.
Chance of Acquisition: 5%
Sale Price: 8 million - 10 million pounds
Transfer Rating: 6.5
Jason KoumasKoumas is a player that has been on Blackburn's radar since Mark Hughes' time at the club. He knew the player from his days as the manager of the Welsh National Team. Koumas is a central midfielder who prefers to act as a playmaker, chipping in with goals and setting up his teammates. He has largely underachieved at Wigan and it is widely believed that Roberto Martinez would be more than happy to offload him. He would be a good fit at Blackburn as a partner for Steven N'Zonzi. He would provide veteran leadership and would help to relieve David Dunn of some of the goal-scoring responsibilities.
Chance of Acquisition: 35%
Sale Price: 1.5 million - 2.5 million pounds
Transfer Rating: 7
Colin Kazim-RichardsAn English born Turkish-Cypriot, Kazim-Richards is a skillful winger who spent this past season on-loan to Toulouse from parent club Fenerbahce. He's achieved a reputation for immaturity and poor decision-making off the field, but with age and experience hopefully this has diminished. Seemingly surplus to requirements at the Turkish giants, he could probably be brought back to England at a decent price. He would add some flair and pace to the wing, as well as attacking depth. However, nothing seems to indicate that Blackburn have taken notice of him and it's not likely that he'll be signed.
Chance of Acquisition: 15%
Sale Price: 1 million - 2 million pounds
Transfer Rating: 8
Nadir BelhadjBelhadj has been one of the few bright spots in Portsmouth's league campaign this season, and it's unlikely that he'll remain with the club after being relegated. Gael Givet has done well at left back, but Belhadj would add some much needed depth and could form an extremely interesting partnership with Martin Olsson down the left side. His versatility and attacking flair would make him a valuable addition to Blackburn's squad. Also, due to Portsmouth's financial trouble it's likely that he'd be available relatively cheaply.
Chance of Acquisition: 45%
Sale Price: 1 million - 2 million pounds
Transfer Rating: 8
Jimmy BullardBullard is one fo the most well-liked figures in the Premier League today, but he's been the victim of some horrific and lengthy injuries in his career. Hull paid a little over five million pounds for him at the beginning of the season. Their impending relegation will force them to sell several prominent players, and Bullard will likely be one of them. An attack-minded central midfielder, he's best known for his passing and is also a threat from set pieces. His injury history and advancing age are certainly a worry, but if he could be had for a decent price he would add a veteran presence and goal-scoring threat to the midfield.
Chance of Acquisition: 20%
Sale Price: 1.5 million - 3 million pounds
Transfer Rating: 6.5
Stephen HuntAnother Hull City player likely to be leaving the KC Stadium this summer, Hunt is an influential winger and an Irish international. He's a player who works hard and is possessed of excellent technical ability, and would vastly improve Blackburn in wide areas. He would be a good mentor for young Martin Olsson and is also able to play in other attacking positions. He only joined Hull at the beginning of the season, but their relegation could see Blackburn sign him for a cut-price fee.
Chance of Acquisition: 25%
Sale Price: 1. 5 million - 2.5 million pounds
Transfer Rating: 7.5
Anthony AnnanAnnan was all set to join Blackburn when Paul Ince was in charge, but unfortunately the deal fell through. A defensive midfielder from Ghana, he has impressed with his performances in the Norwegian league and for his national team. He's tough tackling and skillful, and breaks up play well in the center of midfield. At only 23, he's young enough that he will continue to improve. A successful trial with Blackburn seems to mean that he was able to adapt to English football. Unfortunately, he doesn't appear to be on Sam Allardyce's rader.
Chance of Acquisition: 25%
Sale Price: 2.5 million - 4 million pounds
Transfer Rating: 8.5
Martin PetrovA veteran Bulgarian winger who has played in several of the top leagues in Europe, he seems to be out of favour at Manchester City. As the moneybags club of the Premier League they will undoubtedly spend an extraordinary amount of money again this summer. Petrov is one of several players likely to be shown the exit. As the saying goes, however, "one man's trash is another man's treasure." Petrov's skill and guile would be an excellent addition for Blackburn.
Chance of Acquisition: 25%
Sale Price: 2 million - 3 million pounds
Transfer Rating: 8
Michael JohnsonAnother Manchester City player likely to be surplus to requirements come the summer, Johnson is a young English box-to-box central midfielder. A few seasons ago he was playing regularly, but the arrival of several high profile veterans has pushed him down the pecking order. He's likely to seek a new club to play for in the summer, and at 22 he would be an excellent investment that could contribute right away.
Chance of Acquisition: 30%
Sale Price: 2 million - 4 million pounds
Transfer Rating: 9
All of these players are possible targets, and there are heaps more that Blackburn have been linked with or are rumoured to be interested in. Only time will tell who the club eventually signs, but it's sure to be an interesting summer.
*Transfer Rating: This is a 1 -10 scale judging how beneficial to Blackburn each player would be. Future performances, wages, transfer fees, ages, and other factors are all taken into account.
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