BLACKBURN Rovers’ transfer window dealings took longer than they had hoped to get going, but the deadline passed on Wednesday with eight new arrivals at Ewood Park.

This was the summer in which many expected new owners Venky’s to spend big after Rovers only narrowly avoided relegation last term.

In the end it is approximated that Rovers shelled out around £16m during the summer, more than was spent in recent transfer windows.

Supporters, though, will point to the fact that the club actually appear to have made a profit from their transfer dealings after receiving in the region of £22.5m for the sales of Phil Jones and Nikola Kalinic – even if the club will have to wait for part of the Jones fee.

For the second window in succession there was no arrival that could truly be described as a ‘marquee signing’, something the club have wanted since the takeover by Venky’s in November.

Again they tried, attempting to bring in Raul from Schalke, but a deal could not be done.

The main concern among many fans remains Rovers’ striking options, with the club deciding to pull out of a possible move for Hoffenheim’s Vedad Ibisevic – reportedly worth around £6m – partly because of concerns that the Bosnian is currently injured.

But Yakubu and David Goodwillie arrive with goalscoring pedigrees and, although many deals were completed close to the deadline, Rovers do seem to have competition throughout the squad.

None more so than at centre back, with Rovers eventually opting to switch their biggest funds from front to back to seal a deal of around £6m for Birmingham’s Scott Dann.

Chris Samba stayed at the club despite links with Arsenal and Tottenham, with Ryan Nelsen, Gael Givet and Grant Hanley also contenders in central defence.

Steven Nzonzi and Martin Olsson were others to remain at Ewood after interest from elsewhere, while the talented Simon Vukcevic and Radosav Petrovic will bolster the midfield.

Steve Kean has insisted that only now can the club’s results start to be judged fairly.

How Rovers’ current squad compares to the one at their disposal last season, only time will tell.

INS

Scott Dann

Linked with Arsenal and Liverpool earlier in the summer, the highly regarded centre back joined Rovers for around £6m on transfer deadline day. Will bolster a defence that has been depleted at times.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni

Once one of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League, he fell out of the picture at Everton after rupturing his Achilles’ tendon but scored 11 in 20 on loan at Championship side Leicester.

Joined Rovers for close to £1.5m.

David Goodwillie

Linked with a number of clubs this summer, including Scottish champions Rangers, but it was Rovers who won the race for the 22-year-old striker as they agreed a £2.8m deal with Dundee United.

Simon Vukcevic

The Montenegro international has been earmarked for a wide role at Rovers after signing for £2m from Sporting Lisbon, where he had fallen out of favour after previously being a key man.

Radosav Petrovic

The Serbian midfielder joined for around £3m from Partizan Belgrade and is seen as a natural replacement for the departed Jermaine Jones.

Bruno Ribeiro

Rovers opted to snap up the Brazilian after a trial, with the 5ft 7in right back set to provide cover. Compared to Denis Irwin by Steve Kean.

Jordan Slew

Rovers were said to have bid for the 18-year-old Sheffield United striker as late as 9pm on deadline day, with an initial fee of around £1.1m agreed for a youngster who will be given time to settle.

Myles Anderson

The 20-year-old defender agreed a pre-contract to sign from Aberdeen, with the deal completed on July 1.

OUTS

Phil Jones

The biggest deal involving Rovers this summer, the young star joined Manchester United in June for an initial fee of £16.5m, potentially rising to more than £20m. A huge loss to Rovers.

Nikola Kalinic

Rovers recouped the money they paid for the striker as he joined Ukrainian side Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk for £6m.

Brett Emerton

The Australian moved back to his home city last week to sign for Sydney FC after Rovers reluctantly agreed to let him go.

El-Hadji Diouf

Neil Warnock insisted Diouf’s Ewood days could be numbered after the wide man clashed with QPR over Jamie Mackie’s broken leg in January. Diouf never played for Rovers again and has now been released.

Benjani

A new contract could not be agreed with the striker, who instead ended up returning to old club Portsmouth.

Jermaine Jones

Only on loan at Rovers last season but a fee could not be agreed with Schalke for a permanent deal with Schalke, where he remains.

Roque Santa Cruz

His loan return to Ewood did not work out and he returned to Manchester City before joining Spanish club Real Betis.

Mame Biram Diouf

Back at Manchester United and could now be loaned out to a Championship club.

Frank Fielding

The keeper, back in the England squad this week, joined Derby for £400,000 in May after two loan spells at Pride Park.

Gavin Gunning

The defender had a trial with Scunthorpe before Rovers sold him to Dundee United, days after David Goodwillie moved the other way.

Zurab Khizanishvili

Released this summer after a loan at Reading, the defender has moved to Turkey with Kayserispor.

Maceo Rigters

Another to be released, the Dutch striker is joining Australian side Gold Coast United.

Jason Brown

The keeper was out of contract and has signed for SPL side Aberdeen.

Aaron Doran

Signed for Inverness Caledonian Thistle on a permanent deal.

Michael Potts

Son of former Burnley player Eric Potts, the young defender was released and joined York.

Keith Andrews

Has struggled to win over the fans at Ewood and joined Ipswich on loan until January.

Jake Kean

The 20-year-old keeper is gaining experience on a season-long loan at Rochdale.

Interview with Yakubu only in today's Lancashire Telegraph newspaper.