Blackburn Rovers move for free agent in doubt after Portsmouth decision | OneFootball

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Football League World

·24 January 2023

Blackburn Rovers move for free agent in doubt after Portsmouth decision

Article image:Blackburn Rovers move for free agent in doubt after Portsmouth decision

The potential signing of free agent goalkeeper Nikita Haikin at Blackburn Rovers is in doubt, according to the Lancashire Telegraph.

Rovers had looked set to complete a move for the 27-year-old, but the deal would depend on a potential loan exit for current second-choice goalkeeper Aynsley Pears.


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Jon Dahl Tomasson seems keen to allow Pears to leave temporarily in order to gain regular first-team football and Lancashire Telegraph claim he has attracted plenty of interest this month, most notably from League One side Portsmouth.

But prospect of a switch to Fratton Park is now unlikely after Pompey signed Luton Town goalkeeper Matt Macey on loan until the end of the season, which will likely end their pursuit of Pears.

It means that Rovers have put their pursuit of Haikin on hold for now, but they could revive the deal should Pears depart on loan to an alternative destination in the next week.

Haikin has spent the last three years with Norwegian side Bodo/Glimt but is currently available after his contract expired at the end of last year.

The 27-year-old has experience at the highest level having featured in the Champions League, Europa League and the Europa Conference League during his career, while he also spent time with Chelsea at youth level, but it remains to be seen whether he will make a return to England with Rovers.

Tomasson’s side currently sit fourth in the Championship table, one point clear of seventh-placed Luton Town.

Quiz: Are these 20 Blackburn Rovers facts real or fake?

1 of 20

Article image:Blackburn Rovers move for free agent in doubt after Portsmouth decision

Blackburn Rovers were formed in 1875?

Real Fake

The verdict

It is a sensible decision for Blackburn to hold off on this deal for now.

With Thomas Kaminski the undisputed number one at the club, it is likely that Haikin was going to be a back-up to the Belgian, a role which Pears is perfectly capable of performing.

Pears is a player with a lot of potential who has impressed in the cup competitions for Rovers this campaign and a loan spell would be hugely beneficial for his development, but if he does not secure a temporary move, then it makes little sense for Rovers to add unnecessary depth.

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