Pundit Carlton Palmer says Blackburn Rovers should cash in on striker Sam Gallagher this month amid interest from Ipswich Town.
According to journalist Nick Mashiter, the Tractor Boys have had two bids worth £1 million and £1.5 million rejected for Gallagher.
Ipswich have already signed Rovers captain Lewis Travis on loan this month, and they are keen to bring Gallagher to Portman Road, but journalist Alan Nixon claims that “his salary may be a big problem” for the Tractor Boys, while they also face competition for his signature from Sunderland.
Gallagher’s contract at Ewood Park is due to expire at the end of the season, although Blackburn do have the option to extend for a further year, and Nixon says that the club “would let Gallagher leave to get his wages off the payroll”.
The 28-year-old has scored two goals and provided one assist in seven appearances in all competitions this season, and he made his return as a substitute in the 4-1 defeat at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday after almost four months out with injury.
After a positive start to the season, it has been a tough few weeks for Rovers, and they currently sit 18th in the Championship table after picking up just four points from their last nine league games
| Championship Table (As it stands January 15th) | ||||
| Team | P | GD | Pts | |
| 17 | Stoke City | 27 | -6 | 32 |
| 18 | Blackburn Rovers | 27 | -12 | 32 |
| 19 | Plymouth Argyle | 27 | -2 | 30 |
| 20 | Birmingham City | 27 | -11 | 29 |
| 21 | Huddersfield Town | 27 | -18 | 26 |
| 22 | Sheffield Wednesday | 27 | -23 | 22 |
| 23 | QPR | 27 | -17 | 21 |
| 24 | Rotherham United | 27 | -27 | 18 |
Palmer: Blackburn should consider Ipswich bids for Gallagher
Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer revealed his surprise that Blackburn have rejected Ipswich’s offers for Gallagher, and he believes Rovers should sanction the striker’s exit this month.
“Ipswich Town have two bids to sign Blackburn striker Sam Gallagher turned down, the latest one worth £1.5 million,” Palmer said.
“I don’t understand why Blackburn are turning down the bids.
“Okay, I do understand that he’s in the final six months of his contract, but Blackburn have the ability to extend that contract for another year.
“He’s been restricted this campaign, he’s made five league appearances due to injury, only scoring one, I think it would make sense for Blackburn to allow the player to move on.
“Blackburn and Ipswich have already done some business this season, with a player going on loan.
“Ipswich need to move on now and get somebody in with the news that George Hirst has picked up a long-term injury, so Ipswich have to bring in another front player, and I’m sure they will go back with an improved offer to sign Sam Gallagher.”
Blackburn should sell Sam Gallagher this month
It is difficult to disagree with Palmer that Blackburn should cash in on Gallagher.
While it would be a blow to lose their star striker, Gallagher has been sidelined for much of the season so far, and Rovers have not struggled for goals in his absence, with the 52 league goals they have conceded preventing progress up the table rather than a lack of attacking threat.
Blackburn’s financial restrictions are well-documented, and the income from Gallagher’s sale could be incredibly useful for the club, while it may allow manager Jon Dahl Tomasson to bring in some much-needed new additions.
Ipswich are on the search for a striker after George Hirst was ruled out until the latter part of the season, with Fulham’s Jay Stansfield, who is currently on loan at Birmingham City, and Watford’s Mileta Rajovic also said to be on the Tractor Boys’ radar.
Rovers must ensure that they do not price Ipswich out of a move for Gallagher, or they risk the Tractor Boys turning their attention elsewhere.
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