Blackburn Rovers open talks to sign midfielder - special type of contract being drafted up | OneFootball

The on-off transfer of Moussa Baradji to Blackburn Rovers could be revived, with Rovers seeking a different contract for the player after his medical.

Blackburn Rovers are re-opening talks with midfielder Moussa Baradji, whose on-off transfer from Swiss club Yverdon Sport has been in doubt following his Blackburn medical.

With four new players having already arrived at Ewood Park this summer, Blackburn Rovers are rebuilding after only narrowly missing out on a place in the Championship play-offs at the end of the 2024-25 season.

Rovers finished last season in seventh place in the table last term, missing out on a play-off place by just two points.

But the arrival of one new player seemed to have hit a brick wall over an issue that was raised in his medical.

However, Rovers are keen enough on him to be pushing forward in an attempt to find a way of making the move happen regardless.

Blackburn Rovers re-open Moussa Baradji talks - Rovers attempting new contract tactic to seal deal

Journalist Alan Nixon reports that Blackburn Rovers are re-opening talks with Moussa Baradji, after the club previously ran into an issue with his medical.

Terms had been agreed with his parent club, Swiss outfit Yverdon Sport, for the transfer to go through, but Baradji's medical at Ewood Park threw up an issue - reportedly involving his foot.

But with the player and Rovers both still keen on the move, Blackburn now appear to have changed tactics when it comes to his contract.

Nixon reports that Rovers are now seeking a 'pay-as-you-play' contract for the 24-year-old midfielder, given there are still concerns from within Ewood Park regarding his fitness levels.

Nixon states that the issue identified may require some time away from playing in order for him to recover, but affirms that the central midfielder is keen on the move to the Championship, and is happy to follow the club's plans regarding his injury and contract status.

Baradji made 27 appearances in the Swiss Super League for Yverdon-Sport, throughout the 2024-25 season.

A pay-as-you-play contract could offer a backdoor route to get Baradji to Ewood Park

Pay-as-you-play contracts are not unheard of in professional football, but they're certainly not common towards the top end of the professional game.

It would make sense for Blackburn to seek this type of contract for the player, however, as a compromise to get him to join the club.

It's highly unlikely that Blackburn would, at this early stage, be able to say with much confidence how long he may need to recover from the injury, but if they could agree contract terms by which the player starts getting paid when he's able to play in matches, it could provide a backdoor route to get Baradji to Ewood Park.

It would also give Rovers some degree of security over a player who has clearly become much more of a risk as result of the results of his medical.

Baradji has been a Blackburn target all summer, and the club saw off interest from Celtic to agree terms for the midfielder to come to England.

Rovers are now seeking to negotiate a novel type of contract to get him to the club. If they like the player, and see him as potentially a valuable asset when he's fully fit, then it would make sense for them to agree a deal whereby his wages kick in when he's fit to play.

The Lancashire Evening Telegraph has reported that Valerien Ismael and Head of Football, Rudy Gestede, are both very keen for the midfielder to join the club, and that Baradji is 'desperate' for the move to happen.