Blackburn Rovers have been busy in the transfer market this summer with a number of familiar faces exiting Ewood Park, while several have entered the doors of the 1995 Premier League champions.
It has been 13 years since the Lancashire club were in the Premier League, and it is still the aim for Blackburn to return to the English top flight.
Rovers are bidding for a play-off finish in 2025/26 after narrowly missing out on the top six at the end of last season.
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.
Valerien Ismael watches on during Derby County FC v Blackburn Rovers FC - Sky Bet Championship
Photo by Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images
The business they do in the transfer window is important, with the need to keep hold of players being vital too, and Blackburn have made a plan to attempt to keep one of their emerging talents at the club and stave off interest from Premier League clubs.
It has been reported that Premier League clubs are interested in signing emerging Blackburn talent Igor Tyjon, as he is viewed to be a future star at the highest level.
According to the Lancashire Telegraph, Rovers are set to offer the teenager a first professional deal to make him part of the first team in order to keep him and stave off interest from both Arsenal and Manchester United.
Igor Tyjon playing for Blackburn Rovers against Sunderland
Photo by Trevor Wilkinson | MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
The club are trying to lure him to stay by offering a clear route into the first team, to continue his development and keep him from moving to the Premier League.
It is tough for Blackburn to compete with both Manchester United and Arsenal long-term as long as they remain outside the Premier League, so they are hoping he commits short-term to help his development.
Blackburn Rovers’ striker options
Rovers are not blessed with many natural finishers in their squad ahead of the 2025/26 Championship season.
This may be an incentive for Tyjon to remain at the club for the campaign to find his feet in professional football and lead the line as Rovers attempt to battle for promotion.
Appearances Goals
Makhtar Gueye 47 8
Harry Leonard 10 1
Yūki Ōhashi 38 10
Igor Tyjon 1 0
2024/25 season
The other options upfront for Blackburn are Makhtar Gueye, Harry Leonard, and Yūki Ōhashi, who between them last season scored 19 goals.
Blackburn will need Tyjon to add some firepower to the squad to achieve their ambition this season, while also hoping he signs the professional contract so the club doesn’t lose him on a free at the end of the campaign, helping their current financial struggles too.