Blackburn Rovers can steal Sheffield Wednesday’s millions - It would be a real coup | OneFootball

Blackburn Rovers find themselves in a prime position to steal away Sheffield Wednesday's Djeidi Gassama

With Sheffield Wednesday in complete meltdown behind the scenes, Blackburn Rovers find themselves in a prime position to capitalise on the chaos at Hillsborough and steal away Djeidi Gassama - and they've apparently started to do so.

The timing couldn't be better for Rovers, who are actively looking to fill the void left by Tyrhys Dolan's looming departure - who scored seven goals and assisted six for them last season.

Head of football operations at the club, Rudy Gestede, confirmed to The Lancashire Telegraph that right-wing is one of five key positions they're targeting this summer.

Gassama is perhaps the ideal replacement - a player with genuine pace and dribbling ability that has so much upside potential.

Blackburn Rovers enquire about Sheffield Wednesday's Djeidi Gassama

As per Alan Nixon's Patreon, Blackburn Rovers have enquired about a potential deal for the 21-year-old French winger - which could be around £2.5m.

Graduating from the Paris Saint-Germain academy, Gassama has shown real development during his time in South Yorkshire after joining for just €1m in 2023.

Registering seven goals and one assist in 43 league appearances this season, his stats do paint the picture of a player coming into his prime - averaging 0.21 goals per 90.

FLW's Sheffield Wednesday Fan Pundit, Patrick McKenna, told us "his ability is a lost art."

"When you are struggling a bit, you have this option - someone like Gassama - who can carry the ball up the pitch, take on defenders, and try to create something."

What makes Gassama particularly attractive is that he can operate as a right-footed left winger, attacking midfielder, or even as part of a front two - making him clearly very versatile.

Sheffield Wednesday's desperate situation

Wednesday's financial crisis has reached critical levels, with the club failing to pay player wages for the third time in four months.

Six players have already handed in their notice after not receiving their June wages, and manager Danny Rohl is expected to depart.

Unfortunately for The Owls, this creates the perfect storm for player sales. Southampton are owed money for Shea Charles' loan fee and Norwich City are still waiting for payments relating to Akin Famewo's 2022 signing - all whilst HMRC bills remain outstanding.

With disgraced owner Dejphon Chansiri unable to provide a payment date for outstanding salaries, the pressure to generate immediate funds through player sales has never been greater.

Djeidi Gassama could represent the bargain of the summer for Blackburn Rovers

While McKenna suggested Gassama could be worth up to £10m in the current market - Wednesday's desperation means they're likley to accept far less. The £2.5m figure being touted is mindblowing for a player of his potential.

For context, similar Championship wingers have commanded large fees in recent times - Romaine Esse moved from Millwall to Crystal Palace for £12m in January.

Blackburn's shrewd approach to the transfer market under Valerien Ismael has already seen them invest £2m in Sidnei Tavares from Moreirense - and developments in both potential deals for Ethan Pye from Stockport County and Legia Warsaw's Steve Kapuadi suggest they won't pay anything extortionate.

A real coup in the making for Valerien Ismael and Blackburn Rovers

If Blackburn can secure Gassama's signature for the reported sum, they won't just be signing a talented winger - they'll be stealing millions in future value that should otherwise belong to Sheffield Wednesday.

As the Owls face potential administration and a mass exodus of talent, Rovers have the opportunity to strike while the iron is hot. Yes, not keeping Dolan is painful - but landing Gassama for less than half of his actual value is a masterstroke - and who knows what he'd be worth some time down the line.