The rumour mill is well and truly in operation as the January transfer window approaches it’s end. Several players are linked with moves in and out of Ewood Park with some more likely than others.

 

Forward Jason Roberts is in the sights of Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Mick McCarthy after he turned his attentions away from Stoke City striker James Beattie who is understood to prefer a move to the capital. Roberts is also supposedly on the wanted list of north east Championship rivals Newcastle United and Middlesbrough although a permanent deal to a Premier League club would probably suit the player better than a loan deal in a lower league.

West Ham are understood to be ready to offer Benni McCarthy a way out of Ewood. The South African forward is desperate for first-team football to secure his spot in the national team for the World Cup after failing to play regularly this season under Allardyce. Rovers top scorer in two of his three years at Ewood could initially join the Hammers on loan as new owners David‘s Sullivan and Gold seek to secure his registration quickly. The final fee for a permanent switch could be around £2.5M as McCarthy seems set to disappoint other suitors such as Everton and Celtic.