Derby County and Blackpool race to sign Blackburn Rovers star Jack Vale – sources

Blackburn Rovers have confirmed to Jack Vale that he can go out on loan, sources have told Football Insider.

There is a lot of interest from League One teams including Blackpool and Derby County.

Talks are underway and an agreement is set to be finalised in the next weeks.

Vale’s contract at Ewood Park was set to expire this summer but he put pen to paper on an extension back in December on a deal running until 2025.

The 22-year-old made 22 appearances for Blackburn in the 2022-23 campaign in what was his first full season for the senior side, netting two goals and offering up one assist.

The striker enjoyed a predominantly positive stint in the first team before his time was cut short in March due to an ankle injury, but not before he managed to score against West Ham in the third round of the League Cup.

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph (31 May), Vale insisted his heavy involvement with the first team last season has helped him as a player and will be useful to take into the upcoming campaign.

But, the forward noted the difficulty of making the step up from Under-21s football but insisted he wants to get more experience playing at the highest level.

Blackpool were relegated from the Championship in the 2022-23 campaign where they will join Derby in League One next season.

The Rams finished seventh in the league last season and just outside of a play-off spot.

Sources: Everton offer two stars in swap deal for Blackburn ace Wharton

Everton have offered two stars in a swap deal for Blackburn Rovers defender Scott Wharton, sources have told Football Insider.

Everton

The Merseysiders have made a move for the Championship club’s centre-back, 25.

It is believed that Everton have offered either Ellis Simms or fellow striker Neal Maupay in exchange for Wharton.

Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Everton are willing to let both Simms and Maupay go this summer as they look to drastically cut costs.

Ipswich Town have already had a £4million bid for striker Simms knocked back but the Merseysiders will let him go at the right price.

Manager Sean Dyche is a firm admirer of Wharton, who signed a new contract in March that runs until the summer of 2027.

Maupay is contracted at Goodison Park until 2025, on a deal that includes a 12-month option, after joining from Brighton last summer whilst Simms has just 12 months remaining on his deal.

Simms, 22, made the switch from Man City’s youth set up to Merseyside in 2017 but has spent the majority of his time out on loan.

Maupay, 26, has failed to make his mark on the Toffees since his arrival last summer and made just 29 appearances across all competitions last season and found the back of the net just once.

Blackburn’s Wharton made 28 first team appearances last season and also scored one goal in those outings.