Blackburn Rovers set to land fresh defender signing amid Liam Cooper transfer struggle | OneFootball

Rovers are poised to land Danny Batth - a whole year after Jon Dahl Tomasson wanted him at Ewood Park

Blackburn Rovers have struck an agreement with Danny Batth over a free transfer after his departure from Norwich City.

According to Elliot Jackson, a medical is expected to be completed within the next 48 hours following an agreement between the two parties.

It had been reported by Alan Nixon that work still needed to be done to complete the signing, but those obstacles have now been overcome.

Kyle McFadzean is nearing a return to Ewood Park on a one-year deal, but other transfers in the defensive area had been proving a complicated process for the Lancashire outfit.

McFadzean joined Blackburn on a short-term contract last January that has since expired, but could be in line for a return to the club ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Eustace will be aiming to build a team capable of improving on last season’s underwhelming 19th place finish, in which they only escaped relegation danger on the final day of the campaign thanks to a 2-0 win away at champions Leicester City.

Blackburn Rovers set for transfer breakthrough with Danny Batth deal

In what appeared to be a timely boost though, Nixon claimed earlier today that Batth isn't training with Wolves, as he has been recently to

keep his fitness up ahead of a potential move to another club, which was set to open up the door to the move to Lancashire.

And that is now on the verge of completion, with Batth finally signing for Rovers a year after Jon Dahl Tomasson wanted him through the door to add some much-needed experience to his backline - instead, he joined Norwich City.

Deals to sign Sean McLoughlin from Hull City, as well as free agent Liam Cooper, however, are looking increasingly unlikely.

The move for the Irishman has been put on hold by Eustace, while talks have reportedly stalled over the former Leeds United player.

McLoughlin has fallen down the pecking order at the MKM Stadium, but still has two years remaining on his current contract.

The 27-year-old made just 23 appearances in the Championship under Liam Rosenior last season, including 13 starts.

Meanwhile, Cooper started just eight league fixtures for the Whites from a total of 15 appearances before leaving at the end of the term.

Blackburn Rovers’ 2024 summer transfer activity

Blackburn have already added a few fresh faces to their ranks ahead of the new campaign, including Makhtar Gueye, Yuki Ohashi and Jack Barrett, as well as French striker Exauce Mafoumbi from Nantes.

But speculation over Sammie Szmodics has dominated much of the conversation around their first team squad.

The forward was the top scorer in the Championship last season, bagging 27 goals for the side.

This has led to interest from a number of clubs, with Ipswich Town currently leading the race to his signature.

Any further transfer business this window may depend on whether or not a deal for Szmodics goes through.

Blackburn Rovers need more than just Danny Batth as a defensive signing

Rovers have managed to get a few new players through this summer already, and Batth adds more experience to what is a young-looking squad.

All the current interest around the club is surrounding Szmodics, though, and his expected departure will give Eustace some more funds to spend - or so you would think.

However, it will be frustrating for fans either way, as the money earned in the sale of Adam Wharton last January has also not led to much spending this summer either, and it has more-so gone towards the running costs of the club as the Venky's continue to struggle to move their money from India.

With just over a week to go until the Championship season begins, Eustace needs new defenders and fast, or else Rovers could struggle in the opening weeks - Batth is a good starting point, but more is needed.