Blackburn Rovers plotting move for ex-Sunderland star | OneFootball

Blackburn Rovers have held talks with defender Danny Batth.

Blackburn Rovers are in the market for a new defender this summer as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of John Eustace's first full season in charge.

Blackburn are in talks with centre-back Danny Batth, who was released by Norwich City at the end of last season, according to journalist Elliott Jackson.

The 33-year-old made 16 appearances in the Championship during the 2023/24 campaign, and is reportedly keen on linking up with Rovers' boss John Eustace at Ewood Park ahead of the upcoming season.

He would bring a wealth of Championship experience to Blackburn's squad, having played in the second tier for six different clubs, including Wolverhampton Wanderers, Stoke City and Sunderland.

Eustace will be hoping that Batth's experience can help solidify Rovers' defence, as he prepares to build on last season's 19th place finish in the Championship.

Blackburn in talks with Batth

Blackburn have reignited their interest in Batth, after he was set to sign a two-year deal at Ewood Park last summer before the deal broke down due to off-field issues with the club's owners.

Rovers have concerns over signing players who they will struggle to sell in the future, which is an issue that has affected their negotiations with Scottish defender Liam Cooper, who played for Leeds United last season. They are unlikely to be able to sell Batth, so they will hope that his performances on the pitch can make the potential move worthwhile.

Dominic Hyam, Scott Wharton and Hayden Carter are Blackburn's current senior options at centre-back, while 37-year-old Kyle McFadzean's future at the club is yet to be confirmed after his short-term contract came to an end this summer.

Rovers also have young defenders Connor O'Riordan and Patrick Gamble in their ranks, but it is unlikely that they will be ready to feature regularly in the Championship next term, so it is not a huge surprise to see the club in talks with a more experienced player like Batth.

Eustace will hope Batth can solve Blackburn's defensive issues

While Blackburn did manage to keep six clean sheets in Eustace's sixteen Championship games in charge at the end of last season, their defensive record over the course of the campaign was a key reason why they became embroiled in a relegation battle.

Only Huddersfield Town and Rotherham United, who finished 23rd and 24th respectively, let in more than the 74 goals that Blackburn conceded in the second tier last season.

Rovers have sold goalkeeper Leopold Wahlstedt and replaced him with 22-year-old shot-stopper Jack Barrett from Everton, and they will hope that the addition of a proven Championship defender like Batth can also help them keep the ball out of the net more often next season.

Watford were the only team outside the top 10 in the second tier that scored more goals than Blackburn during the 2023/24 campaign, so if Rovers can tighten up defensively, then they could be in for a slightly more successful season next time around.

It remains to be seen whether Blackburn will hold onto last season's Championship Golden Boot winner Sammie Szmodics, after they reportedly rejected a bid of around £6m for the forward from newly-promoted Premier League side Ipswich Town, with the aim of receiving a fee nearer the £20m mark.