Blackburn Rovers dealt huge transfer blow as Tony Mowbray reveals miss involving £0 deal | OneFootball

Tony Mowbray has indicated that Blackburn Rovers have suffered a setback in the free agent market

Blackburn Rovers are not going to proceed with the signing of Ryotara Ito as a free agent following an issue with his medical.

It was reported earlier this week that the 28-year-old had completed his medical ahead of a free agent move to Ewood Park.

While the transfer market closed on 1 September, clubs are still able to register players who are without a team, provided they have the room in their 25-man squads.

Ito is currently available following his departure from Belgian side Sint-Truiden in the summer, having left as a result of his contract expiring.

The Japan international spent three seasons competing in the Pro League, making a total of 104 appearances, including 35 in 2025/26 when the team finished third in the table.

This was the midfielder’s first foray into European football after coming through the ranks in his native Japan.

Tony Mowbray offers Blackburn transfer update

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Mowbray has indicated that Blackburn’s deal to sign Ito will now not come to fruition, despite optimism earlier this week that a move was all but completed.

The 62-year-old left room for some uncertainty over the situation, suggesting it could yet still be finalised, but that he’s pessimistic about bringing in the Japanese player.

“I genuinely don’t know,” said Mowbray, via Andy Bayes on X.

“It suggests to me that it’s not going to happen now.”

According to the Lancashire Telegraph, an issue in the player's medical proved a major stumbling block in completing a deal, with a move now lookiing increasingly unlikely.

While terms had been agreed on a contract with the Championship side, the club have instead opted to pull out at the last moment.

Mowbray has been left frustrated by Blackburn’s transfer activity since returning to Ewood Park in the summer.

This is his second stint in charge of the Lancashire outfit, and he oversaw the addition of four players in the transfer market, including a permanent deal for Moussa Baradji.

Gady Beyuku, Jayden Fevrier and Sam Morsy all also joined the club, with Rovers narrowly avoiding relegation last season.

Blackburn have won just one of their opening six league fixtures this campaign, earning five points from a possible 18, leaving the team 18th in the table.

How Blackburn Rovers fans reacted to transfer setback

Blackburn fans are both furious and beyond the point of feeling anger with the owners and the recruitment staff, including director of football Rudy Gestede.

Many fans have expressed their anger with Mowbray’s comments regarding the signing of Ito.

Supporters are also concerned that Blackburn even have to be searching in the free agent market at this stage, given the calibre of players still available.

Next up for Mowbray’s side is a home clash against Millwall on 12 September in a 3pm kick-off.

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Ryotara Ito move is just the latest Blackburn disaster

Blackburn were fortunate to avoid relegation last season under Michael O’Neill, and it’s not surprising that they’ve had a tough start to this campaign.

Years of mismanagement and a lack of investment have left Rovers in a difficult position, and losing out on the signing of Ito would just be the latest disaster.

Mowbray deserves to be backed by the owners, and instead he is being left without the resources to compete in the Championship.

Fans are having their patience tested, and it is reaching a point where action may be taken against the club in the near future, unless major changes are made behind the scenes.