How Blackburn Rovers should spend any Adam Wharton money - Ethan Pye & Hibs man should be on radar | OneFootball

Blackburn could benefit from an Adam Wharton sell-on clause, and Stockport's Ethan Pye and Hibernian striker Kieron Bowie would help the team.

Blackburn have had a disappointing start to the season, with Valerien Ismael’s side just one point and one place above the relegation zone.

Whilst Rovers will feel they should be higher in the table due to the controversial decision to replay the Ipswich fixture, which was abandoned with ten minutes to go when Blackburn were leading against ten men, there’s no denying they are still in trouble.

After a hectic summer that saw several influential figures depart Ewood Park, many predicted a difficult campaign for Blackburn, and, sadly, it looks as though it will play out that way.

Blackburn Rovers may benefit from Adam Wharton clause to increase January transfer budget

Therefore, January could be crucial for the club, and Ismael will no doubt be pushing for new faces to strengthen the squad.

It’s no secret that owners Venky’s are not putting major funds into the club, but any January budget could be increased by a sell-on clause in former player Adam Wharton.

The classy midfielder has been superb for Crystal Palace since his arrival, and there is talk that he could leave, with Man Utd among the admirers of the Rovers academy graduate, who is valued in excess of £60m.

With Blackburn entitled to 15% of any profit Palace make on the £17.5m they paid for Wharton, it could result in a hefty pay-out for the Championship side.

And, here we look at TWO players they should target if they do receive the bonus windfall…

Ethan Pye

After Dom Hyam’s late summer move to Wrexham, combined with Blackburn’s struggles to keep clean sheets, it would be no surprise if the club did target a centre-back in January.

It had previously been reported that Stockport’s Ethan Pye is a target for Rovers, but they couldn’t agree on a fee for the talented defender.

But, if Blackburn have a bit more room to manoeuvre, then they should go back in for the 22-year-old, who is capable of playing at a higher level than League One.

As well as having the quality to make an instant impact on the XI, Pye is also someone who would be viewed as a shrewd long-term investment, as he has the potential to improve and get even better. So, he would tick a lot of boxes for Ismael and the club, and it would be a coup if they could get it over the line.

Kieron Bowie

Another area that Blackburn will be prioritising is up front, as attacking midfielder Todd Cantwell is the only player to have found the net more than once in the league this season.

Clearly, that isn’t good enough, and Hibs’ Keiron Bowie could be a player that helps rectify those issues in the final third.

The Scotland international has been outstanding for the Edinburgh outfit since his arrival, and at 23, he also fits the profile that Blackburn should be targeting.

Bowie has shown he is capable of leading the line on his own, and he is capable of the spectacular, as anyone who has seen some of his goals for Hibs will know.

There are areas of his game that he needs to refine, but Bowie has all the tools to become an excellent number nine, and he could help Ismael’s team solve what is the most glaring problem they have right now.