Blackburn Rovers have held explorative talks with Erik Engelhardt's representatives, sources close to the player claim.

John Eustace's side are yet to make a senior summer signing this summer and fans are, understandably, growing restless as the wait goes on. 

Head coach Eustace has not been shy that Rovers need to bulk up their squad as the date of August 9 looms. At the time of writing, there are only 24 days until they face Derby County at Ewood Park.

Eustace has repeatedly said that he wants 'four or five quality players' to improve his current squad. Where fans may have been critical before of a perceived lack of ambition in the head coach's messaging, he has been positively clear about the need to strengthen the squad.

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Rovers have a limited transfer budget to work with and therefore any players linked that would require a fee comes with a degree of scepticism. However, the club have received money for Leopold Wahlstedt and Semir Telalovic this summer, let alone the 'record sale' of Adam Wharton in January.

If Rovers are to spend money, it's likely to be on priority positions, such as a number nine. That's what makes the links to Engelhardt interesting.

The forward scored 10 goals for VfL Osnabruck last season as they were relegated from 2.Bundesliga last season. German tabloid Bild, a national newspaper, first reported on Rovers' interest.

The Lancashire Telegraph has received similar information upon enquiries. There has been alleged contact between Rovers' recruitment staff and the player's representatives to establish potential interest, figures and other logistics. 

Engelhardt would cost a six-figure fee, likely to be in the region of 500K. So, it's not completely out of Rovers' ballpark. It's also evident that the player would be keen on the move.

That comes with its own trepidation. It is quite peculiar for a German national like Bild to take such an interest in a soon-to-be third-tier team.

It's always much harder to judge the murky waters of the transfer market with foreign deals, especially when a move to England is often viewed so desirably.

Equally, Arnor Sigurdsson and Sondre Tronstad came from the blue, relatively speaking. Whilst Head of European Scouting, Luke Griffin, has left, Rovers have John Park and Adam Owen plus Rudy Gestede who all have networks ranging beyond UK waters.

The first thought on the risk and reward of a potential deal is Semir Telalovic. Rovers were somewhat burned by taking a punt on a young, raw striker from Germany. Would they go back into that market again?

The difference would be that Telalovic was plying his trade in the fourth tier of Germany, albeit contracted to Borussia Monchengladbach. 

Engelhardt has netted 10 goals for a team two divisions higher and finished the campaign with one of the best shot-to-goal conversion rates.

VfL Osnabruck only scored 31 goals in 34 games last season which makes those numbers more impressive. He is not a target man in stature but his best assets are said to be his physical attributes and his clinical edge in front of goal.

Sources say that Rovers have all the information they need and it's whether they want to press ahead or can afford to do the deal. 

One to keep an eye on.