Derby County’s pursuit of Blackburn captain Lewis Travis has taken an unexpected turn as the transfer window enters the final few weeks.
The former Liverpool youth player has been with Rovers since 2014, breaking into the first team in 2017. Since then, the 27-year-old has made 264 appearances for the club, scoring eight goals and grabbing 12 assists from midfield.
Rams boss John Eustace is keen to bring his former skipper to Pride Park, with one bid for Travis being rejected already. The midfielder would join ex-Blackburn stars Andreas Weimann, Danny Batth, Owen Beck and Dion Sanderson in reuniting with Eustace at Derby.
Travis missed Rovers suffering late heartbreak against Birmingham on Saturday, not even making the bench amid the rumours of his exit. However, despite his absence, a fresh twist in his transfer tale has since been unearthed.
Lewis Travis playing for Blackburn
Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images
Liverpool have a sell-on clause for Lewis Travis amid Blackburn and Derby transfer stand-off
Travis left Liverpool after being released by the Reds as a teenager in 2014. He had been at the club for 10 years when he moved on from Merseyside. He then joined Blackburn and was 19 when he signed a professional contract.
Now, The Sun’s Alan Nixon reports Liverpool will receive a cut of Blackburn’s fee for Travis if he is sold thanks to a sell-on clause.
The report suggests Derby’s current £1.5million bid won’t be enough as Rovers are looking for double the current offer, ‘partly due to’ the cut the Reds will take. It also states the Rams will need to double their offer to £3million to get the deal done.
John Eustace managing Derby
Photo by Jon Hobley/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Previously, Blackburn boss Valerien Ismael told the media that the midfielder wants to leave. This week, he declined to comment on his captain’s situation after the Birmingham game.
He said: “You know me, but we won’t make any comment on the contract situations on players, at the minute. Sorry for today.”
Despite the midfielder still being at the club, it looks as if Rovers are already looking elsewhere for a replacement captain.
Todd Cantwell’s performance against Birmingham shows he can step up
Travis first took the Blackburn armband in 2022 following the departure of Darragh Lenihan. However, Rovers appear to be eyeing up Todd Cantwell as the potential new skipper.
The midfielder put on the armband for Saturday’s defeat to Birmingham. Blackburn had been leading until the 90th minute, courtesy of his opener just after half-time. In truth, the former Norwich ace stood out amongst his Rovers teammates and seemed comfortable in what appeared to be his audition for the captaincy as he made his 41st appearance for the club.
Jay Stansfield’s late penalty and Lyndon Dykes’ winner in the eighth minute of added time at the end of the second half were a huge blow to Ismael’s side who have lost all three of their opening games.
However, if Cantwell’s performance was anything to go off, Blackburn will be able to hand him the armband with ease.