Blackburn Rovers star set to leave in 2027 - Birmingham City & Derby County must plot summer raids | OneFootball

Todd Cantwell is set to leave Blackburn Rovers in the summer as things stand, as Birmingham City and Derby County should remain on high alert

Blackburn Rovers endured another predictably quiet transfer window, as Tony Mowbray, like many of his predecessors, has been forced to use the tools at his disposal at Ewood Park.

Blackburn, despite another summer window with little action, have had a solid start to the 2026/27 campaign, sitting in 16th place heading into the international break with two wins, three draws, and three defeats.

The lack of funding by the Venky's is reflected in their squad, with only Gady Beyuku, Moussa Baradji, Jayden Fevrier, and Sam Morsy joining the club in the most recent window.

Their strongest starting XI is more than competitive at Championship level, but if a lack of funding into the club continues, Blackburn are heading in only one direction, as they are already at risk of losing their club captain in the summer for nothing.

Why Championship clubs will be interested in Blackburn Rovers captain Todd Cantwell on a free transfer

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Blackburn club captain Todd Cantwell is among their most important players; it goes without saying, with the former Norwich City star making the move to Lancashire in the summer of 2024 for a minimal fee from Scottish giants Rangers.

Cantwell, 28, has since gone on to make 78 appearances across all competitions for Rovers, scoring nine and assisting 11, with his presence on the pitch earning him the captain's armband in August 2025.

Mowbray's side are almost certainly a more competitive and complete outfit with Cantwell in the side, regardless of what position he has been deployed in, and with his contract due to expire at the end of the season and no extension in sight, his situation ought to put numerous clubs across the Championship on alert.

With that in mind, Football League World has taken a look at two clubs that should be considering moves for Cantwell in the summer if he does part ways with the former Premier League champions.

Birmingham City

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Birmingham City can boast some excellent attacking talent in their current roster, with Carlos Vicente, Patrick Roberts, Liam Millar, and Demarai Gray as options out wide, August Priske, Marvin Ducksch, and Luis Vazquez up top, and Jay Stansfield just in behind.

However, Blues head coach Chris Davies has taken a more conservative approach this season, making his side more difficult to beat to the detriment of some attacking flair, reflected in their five draws, two wins, and one defeat after eight league games.

The idea is clearly to entrust his attacking options to produce whilst remaining sturdy at the back, but so far, that hasn't quite been the case, as Birmingham could do with some more prowess in the final third.

Links to Portsmouth's Adrian Segecic and Sporting Gijon's Cesar Gelabert emerged over the window, though they were unable to get either of those deals over the line in the end, as Davies has been left without some much-needed creativity, especially through the middle.

With Cantwell's situation at Blackburn looking uncertain, Birmingham would be remiss to turn their nose up at the possibility of bringing the former Norwich and Bournemouth forward to the club on a free transfer, possessing ample ability and, with over 150 games in the Championship, ample experience.

Capable of playing through the middle or off the left, which will be useful in the event of Millar's return to Hull, Cantwell will surely be a no-brainer for numerous second-tier clubs, including Birmingham, who could find a real coup with the Blackburn captain.

Derby County

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Derby County haven't had the greatest start to the season, winning just one of their opening eight league games, starting slowly, reminiscent of their beginning to last campaign under John Eustace, when the Rams won just one of their opening ten.

Derby have been unfortunate with injuries to start the year, with each of Patrick Agyemang, Matt Clarke, Jacob Widell Zetterström, and Lewis Travis among the players to have spent time out of action already.

Eustace will be keen to see some players return after the three-week international break, but may still believe the club is lacking some attacking prowess in the final third, especially after missing out on Anis Mehmeti and Mikey Johnston late in the summer window.

The former Birmingham and Blackburn boss has tended to enjoy reuniting with players he has worked with previously, with the likes of Travis, Danny Batth, Andreas Weimann, and Dion Sanderson joining the Rams last summer after a spell at Ewood Park with Eustace, and Sammie Szmodics, Bobby Clark, and David Ozoh returning to Pride Park more recently.

It would therefore be no surprise to see the 46-year-old attempt to reunite with another former star in the summer, and with Cantwell's contract at Blackburn expiring, it could be a match made in heaven.

Cantwell previously made 26 appearances under Eustace during their time together at Blackburn, and few would dare back against the Derby boss to make an attempt to reunite with another former player, as Cantwell could excel with the Rams.