Blackburn Rovers will have huge Burnley, Tyrhys Dolan fear as new transfer link emerges - Alan Pace is the key | OneFootball

Blackburn Rovers could see this nightmare scenario play out in the future

Tyrhys Dolan could be set for a move across the continent this summer.

The 23-year-old left Blackburn Rovers after five years at the club following the expiration of his contract and is now a free agent, but the Lancashire outfit still have a vested interest in his future.

It’s understood that Dolan has offers from clubs in the Championship and abroad, with the forward still deciding where his future lies.

Football League World exclusively revealed that Espanyol are one of these interested outfits from overseas, as the La Liga side prepare for their second term back in the Spanish top-flight.

This would be an exciting move for Dolan, providing him with the opportunity to explore a different footballing culture in one of Europe’s premier divisions, although it's not the one Blackburn will be hoping for, as an overseas move would hand them significantly less compensation than a domestic switch would.

However, it would also hand the young forward a route back into the English game in the future due to the fact Espanyol have a connection to a current Premier League club - and it's one that Blackburn detest the most.

Tyrhys Dolan will have a direct link to Burnley FC if he moves to Espanyol

Alan Pace has owned Burnley for half a decade now, in a period which has seen the Clarets enjoy two promotions to the top-flight.

The 57-year-old has expanded his footballing empire in 2025, having recently completed the takeover of Espanyol, which creates an instant link between the Spanish side and Burnley.

Examples in the past such as Watford and Udinese have shown how these relationships can be exploited to allow both clubs to share players.

Therefore, if Dolan wants to return back to the English game after a few years of Spanish football, there would be a clear pathway for the attacker to head to Turf Moor if Burnley want to go down that route.

This would naturally satisfy Dolan, as the Clarets will likely remain a Premier League/ competitive Championship outfit in years to come.

If the 23-year-old can develop further in Spain, it may also be a move that appeals to Burnley. However, this deal would be painful viewing for the forward’s previous employers, Blackburn Rovers, if it were to happen.

Tyrhys Dolan, Burnley move would outrage Blackburn Rovers supporters

Dolan signed for Rovers in 2020, after he was let go by Preston North End at the end of his scholarship deal.

His time in East Lancashire was mixed, with his potential and quality clear to see, but inconsistency frustrated fans at Ewood Park throughout.

However, the 2024/25 campaign was by far Dolan’s best with Blackburn, scoring seven goals and providing six assists in 44 Championship appearances.

At just 23 years of age, the forward still has plenty of room to grow and develop into which led to a lot of Rovers’ supporters hoping that he would extend his stay at the club.

Crucial goals against Sunderland, Watford and Sheffield Wednesday towards the end of the year saw Blackburn very nearly creep into the play-offs, with Dolan enjoying the best period of form in his career, but it wasn’t enough to convince him to stay.

It would provide Rovers’ fans with some solace to see him performing in La Liga, but not if it comes with the risk of him running out for their arch-rivals one day.

The Ewood Park faithful have had to deal with Burnley enjoying much more success than them in recent times, and it would be yet another blow to see a player they nurtured join the Clarets.

Therefore, they will be hoping Dolan catches the bug for European football and remains far away from the Claret and Blue side of East Lancashire.