McGuire in, O'Riordan out: The dream start to Blackburn Rovers' summer transfer window | OneFootball

Blackburn Rovers are going to have to have a strong spell in the transfer window this summer.

The 2023/24 campaign proved to be extremely underwhelming for those connected with the Ewood Park club.

Just a season after missing out on a place in the Championship play-offs on goal difference on the final day, Blackburn spent much of their latest campaign battling to avoid relegation to League One.

Indeed, it was only a 2-0 win away to already confirmed Championship title winners Leicester City on the final day of the campaign, that ensured they avoided the drop.

But after such a disappointing period, the club are going to have to work to get things right in the market over the next few months, to ensure they do not find themselves in that position again.

That applies to both incomings and outgoings, and with that in mind, we've taken a look at how a dream start to the summer transfer window might play out for Rovers...

In: Duncan McGuire

Blackburn endured another deadline day disappointment this January, when an administrative error saw them miss out on the signing of striker Duncan McGuire from Orlando City, even after they had announced his arrival on loan with an option to buy.

With the exception of Sammie Szmodics, the club have badly lacked a source of goals over the course of the campaign, and they can ill-afford to rely solely on the 28-year-old again, especially given the interest he is sure to attract himself this summer. As a result, a centr- forward once again looks to be among the priorities for those in charge at Ewood Park this summer.

Another move for McGuire, therefore, looks like it would go down rather well among those connected with Rovers. The 23-year-old has continued to impress with some well-taken goals for a struggling Orlando side since his move to Ewood Park collapsed, so he may well be capable of making a positive impact in Lancashire.

It would also show that Blackburn do have some capability to correct the big mistake they made when this deal fell through back at the start of the year, therefore offering a more positive perspective of things both on and off the pitch, providing they can get it done.

Out: Connor O'Riordan

One player who Blackburn did manage to complete the signing of during the January transfer window was Connor O'Riordan, with the centre-back joining from League Two side Crewe Alexandra.

But after arriving following a rather long and drawn-out saga, the young centre-back has yet to make his mark at Ewood Park, managing just two substitute appearances for the club in the second half of this season.

As a result, it has now been reported by journalist Alan Nixon that Blackburn are willing to loan out O'Riordan in the summer to give him the opportunity to play regular first-team football. It would be a positive for the Lancashire outfit, if that is a departure they are able to confirm quickly.

That way, they give the 20-year-old the best chance to get regular football, aiding his development ahead of his return to Ewood Park further down the line. It may also create some more space in the squad and budget for their own recruitment drive, and getting deals such as these done early will give Blackburn plenty of clarity about who they need to replace in their squad, and leave them with plenty of time remaining while the window is still open to do just that.