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FLW’s Rovers fan pundit wants to see Makhtar Gueye depart Ewood Park this January

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…

Makhtar Gueye looks increasingly likely to move on from Blackburn Rovers in January.

That’s according to journalist Alan Nixon, reporting via his Patreon channel, with the Senegalese forward’s future at Ewood Park appearing all but resolved halfway through the season.

After six goals and six assists across his first 44 appearances for Rovers, Gueye’s stock has fallen sharply under Valerien Ismael.

Once seen as a useful physical option in the final third, the 26-year-old has slipped out of the matchday picture entirely, omitted from recent squads despite Blackburn’s obvious struggles for goals.

Interest in Gueye is not new. During the summer window he was linked with a move to Kocaelispor, but Nixon’s latest report suggests a more concrete development.

Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua are said to be working on a deal, having finished second in the division in 2025. With significant financial muscle behind them, the expectation is that negotiations could move quickly once terms are agreed.

Gueye has yet to start a Championship match this season, making 16 appearances from the bench in the opening half of the campaign.

His marginal role reflects not just tactical preference but a deeper breakdown in trust between player and head coach - a situation that rarely resolves itself without a clean break.

Makhtar Gueye transfer “best for both parties” as Valerian Ismael omits striker from Blackburn squad

It has become increasingly clear that under Ismael, Gueye is no longer part of Rovers’ plans.

His absence from squads has been particularly striking given Blackburn’s lack of attacking options and a growing injury crisis among their forwards.

Football League World spoke to resident Blackburn expert Simon Middlehurst to ask if a move to Shanghai Shenhua would be the best for all parties.

“Yeah, I can see it being a good move for all parties,” Middlehurst told FLW.

“He's clearly someone who wants to play more football and get more games. 
And under Valerien Ismael, he's not getting that. He's clearly not in his plans despite the fact that we are really lacking a striker.

“He's obviously someone as well that’s fallen out of love of playing at Blackburn at the minute.

“Ismael was honest and said he wasn’t being picked because of his attitude in recent training sessions.

“So it's probably best for both parties that he moves on, he can have a fresh start and we can maybe gain some money from it as well.”

Blackburn Rovers’ goalscoring crisis worth the Makhtar Gueye transfer risk

From a wider perspective, shifting Gueye in January could be less about sacrifice and more about necessity.

Ismael is unlikely to have significant funds to spend, and any outgoing - particularly one earning an estimated £10,000 per week - would ease pressure on a tightly managed wage bill.

That financial reality sits alongside growing unrest among supporters.

Rovers fans have begun campaigning to “turn the taps off” at Ewood Park, boycotting matchday spending in protest against ownership under Venkys. In that context, sales may be essential rather than optional.

On the pitch, the case for change is obvious. Blackburn have been among the lowest-scoring sides in the Championship this season and have failed to score in their last three matches - a 2-0 defeat to Wrexham and goalless draws with Sheffield Wednesday and Middlesbrough.

The Lancashire Telegraph has reported that Gueye was dropped due to running less than teammates in training, reinforcing the sense that his exile is rooted as much in application as ability.

Given those circumstances, the reported move makes sense. Gueye gets a fresh start and regular football, while Blackburn free up funds to address a blunt attack.