Exclusive: Blackburn Rovers backed to strike "smart" Barnsley transfer | OneFootball

Don Goodman has told FLW his verdict on Blackburn Rovers' interest in signing Jon Russell this summer

Don Goodman believes Jon Russell would be a positive addition for Blackburn Rovers if they signed him from Barnsley this summer.

It was exclusively revealed by FLW that the Lancashire outfit are among the clubs monitoring the midfielder.

Russell has spent the last three seasons with the Tykes, and has been a key figure as part of their push for promotion back to the Championship.

But he now has interest in a move from Blackburn, as well as Derby County, Oxford United and Stoke City.

Jon Russell transfer claim

Goodman believes that the signing of Russell would not necessarily mean that he’s replacing Lewis Travis in the squad.

He has claimed the 24-year-old has proven himself a versatile option in midfield, who can add some threat in the final third to Valerien Ismael’s side.

“Jon Russell, I’m not sure he would be a replacement for Lewis Travis, if he went to Blackburn Rovers,” Goodman exclusively told Football League World.

“Slightly more versatile, I would say.

“And you only have to look at last season as an example of that, where he managed to score 11 goals in League One and a couple of assists in 34 starts.

“That smacks to me as a slightly more attacking-minded player than Lewis Travis.

“Having said that, he was a player I liked at Huddersfield actually, I saw promise from him at Huddersfield when he was in the Championship.

“And his career sort of stalled a little bit, but last season got him properly back on track.

“So, I think he would be a smart addition to the Blackburn Rovers squad.”

Blackburn will get their new Championship season underway on 9 August with an away trip to face Ismael’s former side West Brom in a 3pm kick-off.

Russell departure is a risk for Barnsley this summer

Russell is entering the final 12 months of his contract with Barnsley, meaning a departure could be on the cards this summer.

The Tykes may want to avoid losing him for nothing in 2026, opening the door to a move to the Championship.

Russell was a strong performer for the Yorkshire outfit last season, even if their overall league form took a dip compared to the previous year.

While there is strong competition to sign Russell this summer, he could prove a solid addition to the Blackburn squad if they could win the race to his signature against their Championship rivals.