"He'll have a lot to prove" - Pundit reacts to Blackburn Rovers, Todd Cantwell update | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer believes that John Eustace will capture Todd Cantwell before the transfer window closes.

Blackburn Rovers have agreed a fee with Scottish giants Rangers for the services of attacking midfielder Todd Cantwell, a deal that Carlton Palmer has acknowledged as a good one.

According to Alan Nixon via Patreon, it is believed to be a "bargain fee" for the 26-year-old who moved north of the border in 2023 from Norwich City.

Cantwell started just 20 games in the regular Scottish Premiership season in 2023/24, his first full campaign at the club, and is yet to appear for the Gers so far in 2024/25. It is this lack of action that has forced him into a move away from Glasgow, just a year and a half after moving.

Nevertheless, he will be the perfect addition to John Eustace's side, who have spent this transfer window re-shaping his team without Sammie Szmodics, who moved to Ipswich Town earlier this month.

Blackburn have started the new campaign in excellent fashion, after securing their Championship status by the barest of all margins back in May. Rovers survived on the final day of the season thanks to a 2-0 win against Leicester City, but will now be hoping that the introduction of Cantwell can help them continue their unbeaten start to 2024/25.

A low fee makes this deal an excellent one

Rangers signed Cantwell for £1.5 million in January 2023, according to The Sun, a deal that looked too good to be true at that point, but he has struggled to progress since his arrival.

With the attacking midfielder now 26, he should soon be entering his peak, and for Blackburn to pick him up at a price that is "quite low", as it has been described as by Nixon on X, it does seem to be smart business by both parties.

Former England and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder, Carlton Palmer, also sees the deal as a good one. He told FLW: "The manager came out and said that he had submitted a transfer request.

"He joined Rangers last year from Norwich City for an undisclosed fee, but he's yet to feature this season under Philippe Clement, and so he's submitted this request.

"He’s struggled at Rangers, so he'll have a lot to prove. Apparently, it is supposed to be a low fee that Blackburn are paying, so it is a bit of a low risk with the upside that he can perform, and we’ve seen it before."

Blackburn have needed to replace Szmodics

The Championship side are still in the process of trying to fill the gaping hole left by last season's top goalscorer, Szmodics.

Blackburn have brought in Andreas Weimann, Makhtar Gueye and Yuki Ohashi alongside others, but these players do not fit the profile that their goal-hungry attacking midfielder brought to the club last season.

However, Cantwell, who does play in that number 10 role, is a lot more similar to Szmodics, and although he is not as prolific, he will be able to provide goals and assists from behind the striker.

"Cantwell is a very good player, and they're hoping that he will come in and produce the form that saw him get his move to Rangers."