Blackburn Rovers are looking to sign a “quality” new forward on a cut-price transfer as they aim to pip former boss Tony Mowbray to a deal.
Blackburn and Ismael still pushing for playoffs in Championship run-in
It hasn’t been the start to life at Ewood Park that Valerien Ismael would have hoped for, with Rovers slipping down the Championship table.
Under Ismael, Blackburn have drawn with Norwich City and lost to Derby County, Stoke City and Cardiff City, leaving them ninth in the table and five points adrift of the last remaining playoff spot, currently occupied by Mowbray’s West Brom.
Championship Table: Latest standings for the 2024/25 season
Latest English Football League Championship standings 2024/25.
ByStephan GeorgiouApr 22, 2025
Talking after the latest loss to Cardiff, Ismael said: “This one is the most disappointing (of Ismael’s four results). We played well with belief and conviction. It was a step forward, especially in the first half. This one is tough to take. The first Cardiff goal we defended badly and the second one we just lost the ball. At the end you get punished. Details make the difference.”
Portsmouth vs Blackburn
March 29
Blackburn vs Middlesbrough
April 4
Blackburn vs Sheffield Wednesday
April 8
Luton Town vs Blackburn
April 12
Blackburn vs Millwall
April 18
Ismael will get the chance to secure his first win as Rovers boss this weekend, but behind the scenes, the club appear to be working on potential signings.
Blackburn Rovers racing Mowbray to sign Bobby Wales
According to Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke, Blackburn Rovers want to sign Kilmarnock forward Bobby Wales at the end of the campaign on a free transfer when his contract expires.
It is stated that Rovers and West Brom are ‘racing’ to secure Wales’ services as they look at ‘potential long-term options to develop and potentially move on for a significant profit’.
Wales has caught the eye of a number of Championship clubs, but it is only Rovers and the Baggies who are named in the update. Aged 19, Wales is a versatile centre-forward who, after scoring 12 goals in 27 appearances on loan at Alloa Athletic, has featured regularly in 2024/25.
Games
27
Goals
5
Assists
3
Yellow cards
1
Minutes played
1,264
Kilmarnock boss Derek McInnes has previously called Wales a player with “quality” and an attacker who has “composure”.
“When we’re looking for a bit of calmness, quality and a bit of composure, I thought Bobby Wales gave us that. It’s a fantastic finish and good on him. We tried to be brave and keep as much attacking threat on the pitch as possible.”
McInnes added: “Bobby still has things he has to improve at. He’s an honest boy and we have conversations. With his back to goal he can still be better but in terms of finding space and manufacturing chances for himself, he’s got that in him.”
