How Blackburn Rovers feel about replacing Danny Batth when he moves to Derby County | OneFootball

County are edging closer to landing the services of the central defender.

Blackburn Rovers are not looking to bring in a replacement for Danny Batth ahead of his imminent move to Derby County.

John Eustace's pursuit of his former players has been relentless this summer. The Rams boss has targeted a number of players that he worked with at Ewood Park before switching to Pride Park in February.

It was revealed exclusively by Football League World that County wanted to sign Blackburn duo Batth and Andi Weimann. They have both been offered new deals by the Lancashire outfit but are yet to come to an official decision on their futures, although they are expected to head for the Midlands.

Derby are also after former Rovers loanee Owen Beck, although they face competition from Wrexham and clubs from the Premier League in their pursuit of the Liverpool left-back.

Blackburn not eyeing extra defensive cover this summer

The aforementioned Blackburn trio made a combined 91 league appearances last season for the side that narrowly missed out on a play-off spot. Finding cover in these positions will be tough. In the case of Batth, Rovers reportedly aren't looking to bring in a replacement.

According to the Lancashire Telegraph, they are not going after any extra reinforcement in the middle of defence. Batth, 34, was one of the pillars of Blackburn's defence in the 2024/25 campaign, during the tenures of both Eustace and his successor Valerien Ismael. He started in 34 of the 37 games he played in the Championship.

If no more centre-halves are added between now and the end of the transfer window, on Monday, 1st September, that would leave Rovers with Hayden Carter, Dominic Hyam and Scott Wharton as their more established options in front of the keeper. Connor O'Riordan, who was bought in January 2024 from Crewe Alexandra for £500,000, but has struggled to settle in to life at Ewood Park, is also an option for Ismael.

According to the LT, a right-winger is the priority target for Blackburn. They have already signed a left-winger in Dion De Neve from KV Kortrijk for £400,000 and Cape Verdean centre-midfielder Sidnei Tavares.

Blackburn are taking a chance with Danny Batth replacement decision

Leaving Carter, Hyam and Wharton as the centre-back options feels like a bit of a risk for Rovers. Carter and Wharton have had their respective injury issues over the past season or two. Hyam is the polar opposite, having not missed a minute of action last season. Relying on that remaining the same is a bit of a gamble.

Batth wasn't a pedestrian for them either. He was a key cog in what was the sixth-best defence in the division last time out. That is no coincidence, and his imminent departure is bound to dent their abilities at the back.