Blackburn Rovers set to swoop for ex-Leicester City star with 120+ international caps | OneFootball

Blackburn Rovers are set to complete the signing of free agent Jordan Ayew after he left Leicester City this summer.

Blackburn are closing in on the signing of Jordan Ayew on a free transfer to beef up Tony Mowbray’s squad.

After picking up four points against Wolves and Middlesbrough in their first two games of the campaign, Rovers have drawn one and lost two of the last three, which includes a 2-1 defeat at Preston on Saturday.

Mowbray has made it clear that he believes the lack of squad depth has been a major factor in those results, with the club currently dealing with an extensive injury list.

Blackburn looking to complete signing of free agent Jordan Ayew

Therefore, the boss had hoped to be active towards the end of the transfer window, but Blackburn couldn’t get deals over the line that Mowbray wanted.

So, the club have had one eye on the free agent market, and it appears they are now close to sealing a swoop for Ayew.

That’s after journalist Alan Nixon confirmed that the 34-year-old has been in talks with the Championship side, and he is ‘expected’ to agree a contract with Blackburn.

Providing it does go through, Ayew - who has amassed over 120 caps for the Ghana national team - will offer Mowbray another experienced head in the final third, and he is capable of filling in different positions in attack, which will be very welcome given the injury issues.

The Ghanaian has been without a club since leaving Leicester in the summer following their relegation to League One, but he looks set to return to the Championship.

Jordan Ayew could be a smart signing for Blackburn Rovers

It’s fair to say that the Leicester fans won’t exactly give glowing reviews to Ayew, so there may be some Rovers fans who are underwhelmed by this addition, and you can understand that.

Even though the former Marseille man has had a good career, he did struggle at the Foxes, and his goal record was poor, although the player may point out that he wasn’t the only one to underachieve at the King Power Stadium, which suggests the problems run deep at Leicester.

Nevertheless, it’s not like Ayew will join Blackburn and solve their problems going forward, but he could have a role to play.

Firstly, as outlined above, he is capable of playing as a striker, down either flank, or even in a deeper role, so that is going to help a group that is low on numbers.

Ayew's experience is also going to be useful in the dressing room, as the 122-cap international has played at the highest level over the years.

Plus, he knows about English football, so that reduces the adaptation period, and, providing Ayew has kept himself fit over the summer, he should be capable of making his mark straight away.

We know that Blackburn weren’t in a position to spend big during the window, but it was a real frustration that they couldn’t get deals over the line.

That left them in a difficult position, but, right now, the only solution is to look for a free agent, and Ayew will be able to help.

Mowbray has shown numerous times over the years that his man-management can get the best out of individuals, and he will hope to have that impact on Ayew once his move to Blackburn has gone through.

Tony Mowbray's Blackburn Rovers depth issue was evident against Preston North End

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If anything summed up the issues that Blackburn Rovers have with their squad right now after a tough transfer window, it was bringing on 17-year-old Harvey Higgins this weekend away at Preston North End when chasing the game.

Higgins is lightning quick and may be a good player in time, but he was thrown in at the deep end due to the lack of options on Mowbray's bench thanks to injuries to the likes of Yuki Ohahsi and Mathias Jørgensen, and it was a tough assignment to deal with against experienced Championship defenders.

There'll be much frustration from Mowbray that he wasn't able to add more players to his squad in the transfer window, especially when Saturday's bench was as thin as it was, but one free agent or potentially more will be able to beef his options up - starting with Ayew.