Blackburn Rovers can find "better value" than £2m deal for ex-Birmingham City favourite | OneFootball

FLW's Blackburn Rovers Fan Pundit has his say on the Koji Miyoshi links

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Blackburn Rovers are reportedly interested in making a £2m move for VfL Bochum winger Koji Miyoshi, as per Alan Nixon via his Patreon.

Miyoshi impressed during his first spell in English football with Birmingham City in 23/24 - and although they got relegated - he scored six goals and provided the same amount of assists.

The 28-year-old Japanese international has caught the attention of Rovers as they seemingly look to address their options on the right-hand side of attack, following the departure of Tyrhys Dolan to Spanish outfit Espanyol.

Blackburn Rovers "50/50" claim on Koji Miyoshi

FLW's Blackburn Rovers Fan Pundit, Simon Middlehurst, has told us his verdict on the potential signing of Miyoshi - and it's fair to say he's got mixed feelings about a potential deal.

"I’m kind of 50/50 on this one," Middlehurst told FLW. "He was obviously a part of the Birmingham squad that got relegated, but from what Birmingham fans have said, he was probably the highlight of a bad season."

Following Blues' relegation, Miyoshi moved to the Bundesliga with Bochum on a four-year contract. The German club reportedly spent less than €1m to sign him.

Miyoshi made 15 appearances in the German top-flight last season and only managed to score one goal and get no assists. Bochum finished rock-bottom of the league, in 18th.

Rovers still need to replace Tyrhys Dolan

Middlehurst isn't in any doubt that Rovers' interest in Miyoshi stems from their need to replace the quality that they lost with Dolan not signing a new contract.

"Now that Tyrhys Dolan has left, we are missing right-sided players, so on that side of things it would be a good move, the fact that he has played in the Championship before and he is a right-sided player," he added.

For Rovers last season, Dolan had a slightly better output than Miyoshi did for Blues in 23/24. He scored seven goals to Miyoshi's six, but they both got six assists. This does show Miyoshi has the ability to be a good Dolan replacement.

"However, £2m for a player who, his last two teams he’s played for have both been relegated, doesn’t obviously bode well, and obviously we don’t actually have the money to be spending £2m like that so easily as well," Middlehurst continued.

Blackburn told they can find "better value" instead of Miyoshi

Blackburn lost their opening Championship game of the 25/26 season against West Bromwich Albion, and Ryan Hedges played the full 90 minutes on the right-hand side.

Hedges failed to create any chances for Valerien Ismael's side at the weekend, but Middlehurst is still undecided on whether Miyoshi is the right player to give him competition for the right-winger position. "If we got him for a cheaper deal it could be a good signing," he said.

"However, I’m sure for £2m, we could probably find a better value player or a younger player we can make some money out of if we want.

With Miyoshi reportedly interested in a return to the Championship ahead of next year's World Cup, a move to Blackburn would likely see him start instead of Hedges on the right, but maybe the Lancashire side need to negotiate the best price for him first.