Blackburn Rovers have five players who could leave on loan this summer

Blackburn Rovers are active in the transfer market and their new signings could pave the way for some temporary departures at Ewood Park

Blackburn Rovers have been fixated on incomings but that could have a knock-on effect for members of their squad.

Jon Dahl Tomasson wants more additions after the club made a bright start in the transfer window. Three new faces have come through the door in Niall Ennis, Sondre Tronstad and Arnor Sigurdsson.

Rovers have plans to further bolster their forward line to add more goals to the squad. That could mean some of their younger prospects could be playing their football elsewhere.

Blackburn have shown they’re happy to keep players at Ewood Park to continue developing with Tomasson. Undoubtedly, some players need regular minutes at a higher level, though.

So, who could leave the club on loan this summer? Lancs Live takes a look.

Sam Barnes

Blackburn’s young defender is back in full training with the first team after recovering from an untimely anterior cruciate ligament tear. After an impressive pre-season, Barnes was dealt a major setback.

He’s back fully fit for pre-season and will hope to find his feet in the friendly games. Rovers have four centre-backs at the club competing with him for minutes and have plans to sign another.

Given Barnes’ lost year, regular minutes are crucial for the next stage of his development. If he comes through pre-season unscathed and gets up to speed, a loan into the EFL could be beneficial.

Tayo Edun

In an ideal world, both parties would like a permanent exit. Lancs Live reported last month that Cardiff City and Charlton Athletic have retained their interest in signing Edun.

Rovers are happy for him to leave but his stock is at an all-time low after barely playing last year. With that in mind, the club might not get the offers they’re hoping for.

Edun is out of contract in 2024 but has a one-year extension in his deal. If there are no suitable permanent options, a loan could work to rebuild his value, with Rovers knowing they could sell him next summer or in January.

Dilan Markanday

Pre-season is going to be so important for Markanday. Things have not gone to plan for the winger since he joined from Tottenham Hotspur.

A long-term hamstring injury ruled him out for months and a change of management has not benefited him. Tomasson did not feel he was ready for Championship football and his loan spell at Aberdeen could not have gone much worse.

Of course, no player’s development is linear and there is nothing to say he can’t come back with a point to prove. But if Tomasson didn’t trust him last season, has enough changed in six months to change his mind?

A loan seems the best move, if Rovers do sign another wide player. This time, there need to be assurances he’ll get the game time all parties crave.

Jack Vale

Vale enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2022/23 and earned himself a new long-term contract out of it. He scored his first senior goal at West Ham and ticked off numerous milestones in his career.

But, at times, it felt like too much too soon. Through no fault of Vale’s, it was a lot to ask to throw him into the deep end in an intense battle for the Championship top-six.

I’m sure he has benefited tremendously from a year working with Tomasson. Now what would be best is 12 months banging the goals in, building his confidence and starting 35 games in the league.

Harry Leonard

Leonard is three years Vale’s junior and so the decision to send him out is less straightforward. Tomasson was reluctant to use him too soon last year but has praised his development after a year in-and-around the first team.

There is a compelling argument that the same again would do him little harm. With more attacking options in the first team, Leonard would get more regular minutes for the Under-21s, rather than a situation where he was getting neither last year.

At the same time, he’d stay around the group and continue to learn. Equally, the club may think he’s ready for a taste of the hustle and bustle of first-team football.