Filed under: Blackburn Rovers, Premier League, Football
This summer was meant to be the time when the Venky's vision for Blackburn Rovers finally got off the ground but, just over one month into the close-season, and it has hardly been lift off at Ewood Park.There is still no sign of new big-name captures that had been promised by the Indian-based owners upon their arrival in the boardroom last December.
And instead of buying new talent, Blackburn manager Steve Kean has already seen one of his own depart and now looks set to lose other prized assets.
Phil Jones, one of the youth products whom Blackburn were desperate to keep hold of, had no hesitation in jumping ship to join Manchester United in a £16 million move earlier this month.
Now it looks like Chris Samba will be the next to leave, with Tottenham and Arsenal believed to be keen on signing the influential captain.
And there is still no sign of highly-rated winger Junior Hoilett signing a new long-term contract, despite Kean jetting out to Canada for talks over extending his current deal.
But if those at Ewood Park were becoming increasingly frustrated at what will be left, they will be even more concerned at this statement from a potential player they were keen on bringing in.
Following Blackburn's reported interest in Roma forward Mirko Vucinic, his representative immediately shot down the prospect of the £18 million-rated Roma striker joining Blackburn for next season in no uncertain terms.
Alessandro Lucci told Sky Italia: "The Blackburn transfer is just a rumour. It is a respectable club, but I think Mirko deserves a more prestigious club."
And those words just sum up the current problems for Blackburn as they fight to avoid heading into the new season with an inferior squad to the one that finished the last one.
Because it appears no amount of money will be enough to tempt a big-name summer signing Kean so craves for.
And if landing a 'marquee' signing is proving a tough enough ask, securing a potential squad player is hardly plain sailing for a club that secured their Premier League survival by the skin of their teeth last season.
Sebastian Larsson has already decided to shun their long-term interest to sign for Sunderland ona free transfer.
This comes on the back of discovering Jermaine Jones, the American midfielder who spent the last few months of the season on loan at Blackburn, could now turn down a permanent move as a host of European clubs eye his signature.
This only proves that despite being no more than 40 miles up from road from the big two in Manchester, the Lancashire club are light years away from competing with the elite on and off the pitch.
Remaining at the mercy of the big clubs who target their players can't be helped, but their failure to replace them certainly can be.
The only saving grace for the Rovers supporters is that there has been no rash forecast of late from the much-maligned owners.
The Venky's talked boldly about progressing the club to a new level and predicted they would soon be challenging for the Champions League.
But if they do not act fast in the transfer market this summer they will be in real danger of fulfilling their pledge of taking Blackburn to a new level this time next year - and that's Championship football.
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