Michal Helik features: 5 EFL stars who must be on Blackburn Rovers' transfer shortlist | OneFootball

A look at the Football League players who should be on Blackburn Rovers' transfer radar this summer

Highlights

There can be no denying that Blackburn Rovers have plenty of work to do in this summer's transfer window.

It was a hugely disappointing 2023/24 campaign for the Ewood Park club, who finished 19th in the Championship table, just three points clear of the relegation zone.

After a quiet start to the summer, Rovers will have to make some significant improvements to their squad to avoid such a situation this time around.

There will no doubt be a number of options being considered by the club as they look to do that, and many of those will come from other clubs currently competing in the EFL.

So with that in mind, we've taken a look at five players currently on the books of Football League clubs, who should be on Blackburn Rovers' shortlist of potential targets this summer, right here.

Tim Krul

With Leo Wahlstedt moving on, it looks highly likely that another goalkeeper will be needed at Ewood Park this summer, and that could come in the form of Tim Krul.

The Dutchman is reportedly of interest to the Lancashire club, after a season at Luton Town where he has played second-fiddle to a former Rovers 'keeper, in the form of Thomas Kaminski.

Krul could therefore be tempted by a move to Ewood Park for more regular time, where his vast experience of the top levels of the game could make him a reliable option, after the errors made by Wahlstedt and Aynsley Pears last season.

He could also be a useful source of insight and guidance for the younger Pears, helping prepare him to step back into the role of first choice between the posts for Blackburn further down the line.

Michal Helik

With Scott Wharton likely to miss most if not all of the season due to injury, head coach John Eustace needs more depth at centre back, which could be offered by Michal Helik.

Having just been relegated to League One with Huddersfield Town last season, the Pole could well be tempted by a return to the Championship. With just a year remaining on his contract as things stand as well, he may be an affordable target too.

The 28-year-old has plenty of second-tier experience both with Barnsley and Huddersfield, and there is no doubt on the back of his performances, that he can do a job at this level.

It is worth noting that Blackburn relied heavily on Sammie Szmodics for goals last season. Adding a centre back such as Helik, who scored nine in the league during the 2023/24 campaign, would help to change that. Indeed, many of the defender's goals were from set-pieces, where Rovers have lacked a threat in recent times, so this signing would add plenty to their armoury for next season.

Paik Seung-ho

Eustace may well want to raid his old club Birmingham this summer after their relegation to League One, and Paik Seung-ho has been identified as someone they could do that with.

The midfielder impressed after arriving at the Blues back in January, and despite their relegation, showed signs of being a solid Championship option.

As a result, the South Korea international may be tempted by a swift return to the second-tier, where he may be able to provide some extra spark and control in the centre of the park.

Getting an eye-catching and exciting target such as this would also likely help to lift the mood and confidence around Ewood Park going into the start of the campaign, so could be one that is well worth pursuing.

Kwame Poku

A new winger looks to be another issue on the agenda for Blackburn this summer, amid injury issues for Ryan Hedges and Arnor Sigurdsson, and uncertainy over Tyrhys Dolan's future.

Kwame Poku therefore looks as though he would be a sensible target for Rovers to try and bring to Ewood Park in the coming months.

The 22-year-old scored 12 goals and provided eight assists 49 appearances in total last season to help Peterborough United to the League One play-offs, suggesting he may now be ready for the step-up to the Championship, where he could make some big contributions from out wide.

Blackburn have done business with Posh recently with the deal for Szmodics, which might help them here, as could the fact that Poku is now entering the final year of his contract at London Road, which may put the League One club under more pressure to sell if an offer comes in.

Liam Cullen

A centre forward once again tops the agenda for Rovers this summer, amid their recent struggles for successful signings and options in that position.

Liam Cullen is one option who has been reported to be a target for the Ewood Park club in the past, and may be worth considering again here.

The 25-year-old is now into the final year of his contract at Swansea City, so could be a more affordable target than was the case in the past for the Lancashire club.

He does also have useful experience at this level, and is capable of getting goals in the Championship, as he has done in the past couple of seasons, which will help to ease the burden on the other attacking options at Blackburn Rovers in the 2024/25 campaign.