Blackburn Rovers poised to beat QPR and Celtic in transfer race | OneFootball

Blackburn Rovers are in advanced talks to sign Liverpool youngster Owen Beck

Blackburn Rovers have advanced in their pursuit of Liverpool prospect Owen Beck, who has been linked with Celtic and QPR, on a loan deal for the 2024/25 Championship campaign, with John Eustace keen to bolster his squad further before the window wraps up on Friday evening.

The development comes according to a reveal from Elliot Jackson of the Lancashire Telegraph, who took to his X account on Monday evening to disclose that Rovers are in "advanced talks" to take Beck on loan.

There has been no shortage of transfer activity at Ewood Park in recent weeks. Blackburn have lost last season's Championship top goalscorer Sammie Szmodics to Ipswich Town for an initial £9m figure alongside Sam Gallagher, who has joined second-tier rivals Stoke City.

However, Eustace has brought in the likes of Andreas Weimann, Danny Batth, Yuki Ohashi, and Makhtar Gueye, and further signings are expected to be made before the conclusion of the summer transfer window.

The ex-Birmingham City boss confirmed an interest in Rangers winger Rabbi Matondo, although Rovers may now find it difficult to negotiate a deal with Phillipe Clement revealing his expectation that the Wales international will stay put at Ibrox.

According to The Sun's Alan Nixon, Blackburn are now eyeing a shock move for Rangers outcast and former Norwich City playmaker Todd Cantwell, who was tentatively linked with Cardiff City earlier in the window.

Blackburn Rovers

Jackson's reveal very much came out of the blue, and it states that Rovers have reached advanced talks with Liverpool to sign Beck on loan for the season.

The update suggests he would be viewed as a cover option for Harry Pickering, who has been Rovers' first-choice left-back for the last three years. However, Blackburn have been light in that area of the pitch for quite some time.

Blackburn are said to have a good relationship with Liverpool following previous loan deals, with the likes of Harvey Elliott, Leighton Clarkson, and Tyler Morton all spending time with the club in spells away from Anfield in recent years.

It will be hoped, then, that Beck can impress in the same way both Elliott and Morton did while at Ewood Park, and he will represent Blackburn's fifth loan signing from the Reds in as many years if the deal does indeed go through.

Beck, who spent the previous campaign on loan with Dundee FC in the top-flight of Scottish football, had been of interest to QPR as well as Celtic, but he now looks set to become a Blackburn player in the coming days.

The 22-year-old previously featured on loan for Bolton Wanderers in the 2022/23 season and made 28 appearances for Tony Docherty's side last time out.

Blackburn Rovers' start to the 2024/25 Championship season

Blackburn have enjoyed rich early-season form, defying expectation to win two and draw one of their opening three matches. They have had the fortune of facing off against two newly-promoted sides in Derby County and Oxford United, but deserve credit for their performance in each of those fixtures - not least against the Rams on the opening day.

A dramatic draw away to Norwich City certainly felt a respectable result too, while they hammered Stockport County in the first round of the Carabao Cup by romping to a 6-1 victory at Edgeley Park.

Blackburn will face Blackpool at home this evening in the second round of the cup before Saturday afternoon's pulse-raising Lancashire Derby trip to Turf Moor awaits.