Valerien Ismael drops claim on "dangerous" Tyrhys Dolan's Blackburn Rovers future | OneFootball

The young attacker will leave Blackburn Rovers this summer unless fresh terms are signed

Blackburn Rovers manager Valerien Ismael has discussed whether the club will be able to tie forward Tyrhys Dolan to a new deal this summer.

The 23-year-old’s current contract runs out this summer, and the current expectation is that he’ll leave.

He’ll be a significant miss if he does go, on account of his returns in this campaign, and there may be a few regrets that Rovers will see no windfall in that scenario, given the important role they’ve played in his development.

In assessing the club’s chances of retaining Dolan, Ismael has not given up all hope, but he is realistic about the position the Blue and Whites find themselves in.

Ismael refuses to say Blackburn are first on Dolan’s list

As quoted by the Lancashire Telegraph, Ismael said: “We talked to him, we talked with his agent. We will make an offer. So we will be in the battle.

“But I won't say that we are the first on his list. The only thing I can say, we give him the love he needs.

"He knows the environment he has. He knows now the way we want to play. We suit him perfectly.

"Now he's much more dangerous. We put him higher on the pitch in those areas where he can be more effective.”

But the Blackburn manager is not blind to the fact that his standing at the club and the positions he plays in won’t be the young forward’s only consideration.

Blackburn manager fears money could be high on Dolan’s agenda

In terms of the environment, Blackburn offers Dolan, Ismael is confident the club have enough to keep him happy, but he feels the financial side could be their undoing.

"If he's playing and enjoys his environment, then we have a good chance,” the Rovers boss continued. “If it's about money, big money, then I'm not sure that we are in the first place."

He’s managed to register 13 goal involvements in 43 appearances this term; his recent form a key driving factor of Blackburn’s late play-off push.

Given his age, performance this season and his potential availability on a free transfer, he will not be short of suitors at the very top of the Championship, and potentially even higher.

Dolan departure would sting Blackburn

Although Dolan spent much of his youth career in the academy setups of Manchester City and Preston North End, his transfer into senior football has been almost exclusively down to Blackburn.

Aside from a short loan stint at Clitheroe, Dolan has never made an appearance in men’s football for another club.

Considering the significant role the club has played in his development, it will be a regret of many that he has been allowed to run his contract down to the point that Blackburn will not be able to exploit his true value.

The club will be due some compensation due to Dolan’s age, but it will likely be a fraction of what he might be worth in the market if Rovers had him under a lengthy contract.