Blackburn Rovers' transfer window is starting to heat up but until deals are over the line, the lingering wait goes on.
There are more names to add fuel to the fire and keep the rumour mill swirling. It's not much but at least there are some noises coming out of Ewood Park.
Rovers have several irons in the fire but are yet to really push go on any of their live targets. It's hopeful that the wheels will begin to turn in the next seven days as the clock ticks down before their 2024/25 season opener against Derby County.
What's apparent is Rovers are wheeling and dealing. The money generated from Adam Wharton hasn't been converted into a sizeable transfer budget, nor has the money recouped from David Raya.
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It's understood that John Eustace has been on the phone to targets. He knows who he'd like but that is only part of the process, which as we know has several layers including a four-and-a-half time difference to India.
That will undoubtedly be a question levelled at the hierarchy. Is the new structure working when there are clearly targets but no decisive action?
It is very early days but already, there are concerns about cooks and the broth. Ultimately, it will only be fair to judge the recruitment at the end of the window but, so far, so slow.
Rovers will have to take some gambles with the budget they're working with. Yuki Ohashi is one of those, as reported on Tuesday, whilst Erik Engelhardt is another there was contact over last week.
Both would command modest fees. Figures, we'd educatedly guess, that might be covered by what was returned for Leopold Wahlstedt and Semir Telalovic.
Liam Cooper and Danny Batth have held discussions too. Rovers are clearly seeking out terms before deciding exactly who they will bring in; it's a risky strategy if players go elsewhere.
Ultimately, when you are shopping in these sorts of markets, there is an element of chance. Rovers could unearth a hidden gem in an untapped market in attack or perhaps find excellent value in a free-agent centre-back. Equally, they could flop or struggle with injury.
Rovers are trying to mitigate that risk, where possible, whilst keeping in line with their budgets and financial limits. The loan market will be incredibly important to add the sprinkling of quality needed.
It's proving likely that the bulk of Blackburn's business will be done when the action has begun. August might be an incredibly busy month at Ewood Park, so strap in.
Of course, the sale of Sam Szmodics could change things but given none of the Wharton money has been reinvested, at the time of writing, sceptics will argue a big sale wouldn't change the landscape.
The 28-year-old will have his eyes set on Ipswich. He's made no secret of his ambitions to play in the Premier League. It's understood he returned to the Senior Training Centre with the rest of his team-mates on Tuesday after getting Monday off.
We're only one month in but with so many plates spinning, there will continue to be question marks about whether Rovers have streamlined or overcomplicated their recruitment strategy.
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