Blackburn Rovers: John Eustace must push for Lincoln City transfer deal | OneFootball

Blackburn Rovers should be eyeing Ethan Erhahon as a potential addition.

The January window could prove pivotal to Blackburn Rovers' chances of reaching the play-offs come May.

So far, the additions have been disappointing, with the Ewood Park hierarchy seemingly opting for safer, budget-friendly choices rather than exploring potential deals that could keep them in the hunt for the top six.

The signings include Adam Forshaw and Dion Sanderson, both of whom have had underwhelming 2024-25 seasons to this point. Forshaw has been struggling in a poor Plymouth Argyle side, while Sanderson has managed just two league appearances for League One, Birmingham City.

Disgruntled by these additions, Rovers fans will be expecting an improvement for the rest of the window and targeting Lincoln City's Ethan Erhahon would be a good start.

The 23-year-old has excelled for the Imps over the past two years and appears ready for a step-up to a higher level. A move to the Championship could be the ideal next chapter for Erhahon, and Blackburn should seize the opportunity to bring in the talented midfielder to bolster their play-off ambitions.

Ethan Erhahon can help ease injury woes

Blackburn's midfield has been one of the more impressive aspects of their team this season, with the duo of Lewis Travis and Sondre Tronstad providing a good platform for the rest of the team.

However, in December, Travis picked up a hamstring injury which is set to keep him sidelined until early February.

Initially, Lewis Baker stepped in as cover, but he has since been recalled by his parent club, Stoke City, with Mark Robins viewing him as a potential option in midfield.

While Forshaw is now available, Eustace will surely be looking for another addition and chasing a deal for Erhahon would be a smart move.

Signed by Lincoln City from St Mirren on winter deadline day in 2023, Erhahon's impressive performances last season prompted Lincoln's director of football, Jez George, to express confidence that the midfielder would command a club-record transfer fee in the future.

Since those comments in May 2024, he has remained at Sincil Bank, but that record fee is yet to materialise, though this window could well be the one to deliver it.

At present, the Imps' number six has 18 months remaining on his contract, and allowing that to run down until the summer could see his transfer value drop significantly. Urgency may be placed on a sale then and to reduce the pressure on Tronstad and Travis, Blackburn should go searching for a deal.

Ethan Erhahon's magical 2023-2024 at Lincoln City

Many Rovers fans may question why they should sign Erhahon, given Tronstad’s strong performances and Travis’s imminent return from injury. Well, Erhahon offers a level of defensive protection rarely seen at League One level, and while he has faced more challenges this term, his 2023-24 campaign was nothing short of exceptional.

Featuring 43 times in the league for Lincoln last season, he ranked in the top 5% of third-tier midfielders for ball recoveries, interceptions, and tackles won, as well as the top 10% for duels won and successful passes - highlighting just what an impressive all-around asset he is in the centre of the park.

The aid provided by Erhahon meant that across the campaign, Lincoln conceded just 40 goals - the second-best figure in the division.

Unfortunately, he hasn't quite transferred last season's brilliance into this term, with the Scotsman coming under pressure for his disciplinary record.

However, his statistics remain impressive, and there is a strong sense that Erhahon has the qualities needed to successfully make the step-up to second-tier football.

Blackburn would be well-placed to target the 23-year-old this window then and if the money is available they should chase a deal for the impressive defensive midfielder.