Blackburn Rovers plot late move for ex-Bolton Wanderers star | OneFootball

Blackburn are keen to add to their frontline with St Pauli frontman Dapo Afolayan

Blackburn Rovers are looking to bolster their frontline in the final few days of the winter transfer window with the addition of St Pauli wideman Dapo Afolayan.

This is per a report from Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, which states that Blackburn has pivoted from their pursuit of Barnsley's Reyes Cleary due to the Tykes' high valuation, and is set to look at bringing in the 28-year-old instead.

Afolayan has spent the last three years in Germany with St Pauli, after signing there for £500,000 from League One side Bolton Wanderers midway through the 2022/23 campaign.

The versatile forward, who can play out wide or through the centre, was a key part of Kiezkicker's ascent to the Bundesliga a season and a half ago, but has hardly gotten a look-in so far this term, and is reportedly expendable.

And with Valerien Ismael's side needing attacking reinforcements quickly before the window slams shut on February 2, Afolayan is being targeted for a return to the EFL.

Blackburn Rovers want Dapo Afolayan

Transfer guru Alan Nixon has revealed that Blackburn is interested in bringing in Afolayan, following an opening half of the season which has seen the 28-year-old play just 144 minutes of Bundesliga action.

Valarien Ismael's side were claimed to have had an interest in Afolayan in the summer, but the forward is now available in the final few days of the current transfer window.

Before his move to St Pauli, the 28-year-old had established himself in League One as a reliable attacking option, scoring 12 goals in his only full campaign with Bolton Wanderers, before making the switch midway through the 2022/23 term.

Afolayan has netted 15 goals for the German side, including nine in their 2. Bundesliga-winning campaign under current Brighton boss Fabian Hürzeler, the season before last, and three in his debut top-flight season in Germany last year.

However, the 28-year-old has started just once in league action this season, and hasn't made an appearance since November 1st. Evidently, he's seen as surplus to requirements, and Blackburn is looking to take advantage of that.

With it being stated in the report that Blackburn walked away from talks over Barnsley's Reyes Clearey, Afolayan seems to be the alternative option in the final few days of the transfer window.

Dapo Afolayan would be a useful, yet risky, signing for Blackburn Rovers

Despite having recent top-flight experience in the Bundesliga, Afolayan has yet to play any higher than the third tier in England throughout his career.

The 28-year-old has plenty of pace, and his dynamism could be exactly what Valerien Ismael's side needs in terms of an attacking boost to stay in the Championship.

However, Blackburn fans may prefer the club to look at more established EFL talents and someone that they know, who, before signing, can do a job in the second tier in England. Especially given that they've already taken a chance on a wideman with no Championship experience this month, already, in Mathias Jorgensen.

After three years in Germany, and effectively three months on the sidelines, Afolayan may need some time to re-adjust to life back in the EFL, time which Blackburn ultimately doesn't have.

Although he could use that recent top-flight experience to truly hit the ground running in the Championship, leading a second-half charge safely into midtable.

It would be a signing that has its risks, but if it pays off, it could be the difference between staying in the Championship or falling into League One.