Everton FC launch shock Blackburn Rovers transfer approach - European threat lingers | OneFootball

Everton have sounded out Blackburn Rovers' goalkeeper Balazs Toth as a potential target this summer

Blackburn Rovers will officially be playing in the Championship next season after securing a 3-1 away victory over Sheffield United last Wednesday, as attention at Ewood Park will be turning to the summer.

Blackburn fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief and rest easy knowing that their side has avoided the drop for another year.

Things looked uncertain in Lancashire at one stage, with Valerien Ismael's reign ending under a dark cloud. However, ever since the arrival of Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill, Blackburn have proven to be a tricky opponent.

The former Stoke City boss has helped to stabilise things at Ewood Park and pick up enough points to retain their place in the division for another year with one game to spare, yet there remains a degree of uncertainty surrounding not only his future at the club, but numerous players, too.

Journalist Alan Nixon reported on Sunday that O'Neill will take his time before deciding whether to take the Blackburn job beyond this campaign, with a three-year deal on the table, whilst a Premier League side has now reportedly registered an interest in one of their star performers this season.

Everton are interested in Blackburn goalkeeper Balazs Toth this summer

Blackburn are set to face interest in some of their star assets this summer, and will desperately be trying to keep hold of as many as possible.

Todd Cantwell has yet to sign a contract extension with the club, and could leave this summer with one year remaining on his current deal, whilst Ryan Alebiosu has shone on the right flank this campaign, drawing interest from the likes of Genoa, Wolfsburg, and Everton as recently as January.

However, the Toffees could be set to turn their focus to another one of their stars this summer, with Hungarian outfit Csakfoci reporting that David Moyes' side have made an approach for current Blackburn number one Balazs Toth ahead of a potential switch.

Toth made the move to Ewood Park in the summer of 2024 from Fehervar and served as backup to Aynsley Pears for much of his first season with the club before replacing the Englishman between the sticks this campaign, where he has impressed.

The 28-year-old has remained as Blackburn's undisputed number one this year, with only a knee injury keeping him out of action for 12 games, disrupting his time in goal.

Though when in between the sticks, Toth has been one of the division's standout keepers, and it's unsurprising to see him linked with a move away this summer, especially with him being set to enter the final 12 months of his deal at Ewood Park imminently.

However, it is somewhat surprising that Everton have been linked with Toth, with England number one Jordan Pickford's place in goal for the Toffees being about as solid as anyone's in world football.

Toth would likely serve as a backup if any move were to materialise, with Mark Travers currently serving as deputy to the 32-year-old.

Clubs in Spain, Italy, and Germany have also been linked with a move for Toth, as have Bournemouth, though for now, Everton are the only club to make an approach for the Hungarian international, who could well be on the move this summer.

Balazs Toth could leave Blackburn this summer amid ongoing uncertainty surrounding the club

This summer is one of the most important ones in Blackburn's recent history, as what path the club chooses to go down will ultimately shape their future.

O'Neill has displayed his ability to get the best out of an underdog once again, as he has done with Northern Ireland, and should he stick around in Lancashire, there will be few better candidates to take the reins than him moving forward.

With Eiran Cashin set to depart after his loan, as with the futures of Cantwell, Alebiosu, and now Toth up in the air, Blackburn simply cannot afford to lose all four and digress, otherwise they will almost certainly be heading one way.