With the transfer window closed, Blackburn Rovers have the opportunity to concentrate on matters off the field.
John Eustace's attention will be firmly fixed on building momentum after their impressive start to the season. Eight points from four matches represents a very healthy return for Rovers.
Off the pitch, Rovers can now afford to cast their eye on the contract situation at Ewood Park. The club were incredibly proactive on renewals under Gregg Broughton's watch but things have slowed down in 2024.
At the time of writing, Rovers haven't signed anybody to fresh terms since the turn of the year. That is understandable considering the upheaval in the New Year and the fight to avoid relegation.
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But with their Championship status secured and the task of immediately strengthening the squad put to one side, Rovers have a few situations to resolve.
Most notably, Tyrhys Dolan and Arnor Sigurdsson, who are both out of contract next June. As reported by The Lancashire Telegraph earlier this summer, Rovers and Dolan were in agreement that he'd remain this summer.
The 22-year-old is keen to assess his options as the season continues before committing his future. A new deal has not been ruled out but the situation is unlikely to be resolved imminently.
Rovers have held previous talks with Dolan under Broughton but an agreement was never struck. The club's precarious financial position over the last 12 months has made offering lucrative deals difficult.
However, with Rovers now a more even keel, discussions will continue throughout the season with hopes of a resolution.
Sigurdsson's situation is likely to be assessed as the season progresses too. He's had moments and produced flashes of quality in his Rovers career but is not a first-choice pick for Eustace at this moment in time.
Rovers are well stocked in their wide areas and so it will be up to Sigurdsson to prove he's worthy of fresh terms.
The only other out-of-contract players are the three new signings, Andi Weimann, Danny Batth and Kyle McFadzean. They will all likely be assessed in 2025.
Dom Hyam and Ryan Hedges are two mainstays who have one-year options in their contract. I would expect Rovers to trigger those, at the very least, though I'd expect there will be talks with both in the next six months about fresh terms.
Players such as Dilan Markanday and Jack Vale are into their final 12 months but with clauses too. Both are on loan and how they perform could dictate what happens with their long-term futures.
I'd expect they will be triggered, even if that is only to be sold next summer. Zak Gilsenan is in the same boat and can hopefully recover from injury to make an impact.
Otherwise, Rovers are pretty well set. Only three players have terms expiring in 2026, Sondre Tronstad, Lewis Travis and Callum Brittain. There is no immediate rush there but in the next six to nine months, you'd like to see some discussion.
The rest are tied down until 2027 after Rovers' flurry of renewals last year. New signings Balazs Toth, Todd Cantwell, Makhtar Gueye and Yuki Ohashi all joined that cohort by penning three-year deals in the summer.
2025: Tyrhys Dolan, Arnor Sigurdsson, Danny Batth, Andi Weimann, Kyle McFadzean, Joe Hilton, Dom Hyam*, Ryan Hedges*, Dilan Markanday*, Zak Gilsenan*, Jack Vale*.
2026: Sondre Tronstad, Lewis Travis, Callum Brittain, Leo Duru*.
2027: Aynsley Pears, Scott Wharton, Hayden Carter, Harry Pickering, John Buckley, Joe Rankin-Costello, Jake Garrett, Harry Leonard, Balazs Toth, Todd Cantwell, Yuki Ohashi, Makhtar Gueye.
*Indicates an option to extend by 12 months.
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