(Credit: Imago)

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Tue 12 May 2026 11:30, UK

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Blackburn Rovers are prepared to sell key duo Todd Cantwell and Ryan Alebiosu to raise funds this summer, sources have told Football Insider.

Cantwell, 28, is the highest earner at Ewood Park and could be allowed to leave in an attempt to shift his wages from the bill while bringing in a fee.

Meanwhile, Rovers rejected multi-million pound offers for Alebiosu, 24, during the January transfer window as they had no plans to lose him mid-way through the season.

That stance has now changed and they view both key players, as well as other big names in their squad, as sellable assets as they aim to make significant profits.

Cantwell’s contract at Rovers is set to expire in 2027, meaning this summer is their last chance to cash in, while Alebiosu’s is set to run until 2028 and he could attract a high price.

Why do Blackburn want to sell key players?

Football Insider exclusively revealed in January that Blackburn turned down Genoa’s offer for Alebiosu, which sources say was worth around £4.3million.

A similar offer in the summer window could be enough to lure him away and raise significant funds which will then be reinvested into Michael O’Neill’s squad.

Cantwell, meanwhile, has been an important player for Rovers this season but has yet to put pen to paper on a new contract, with talks over an extension delaying.

That has led to concerns about his long-term future, and the club believe they may be best placed to cash in and get his wages off the books early.

Should they fail to drum up interest this summer, he is likely to move on for free, and Blackburn are reluctant to lose a big-name player without bringing in funds.

Who is interested in signing Todd Cantwell?

Football Insider first revealed in February that Blackburn are prepared to sell Cantwell this summer and feel they could attract a significant fee.

O’Neill’s side had been determined to keep hold of Cantwell, but after contract talks stalled again, they accept their best option would be to cash in.

The 27-year-old is attracting interest from a number of top clubs including his former side Rangers and is believed to have had his head turned.

Sources later insisted that Rangers are not interested in the midfielder after he burned his bridges with the club and with the fans upon his departure from Ibrox.

However, a number of clubs both in the Championship and abroad are believed to be keeping tabs on his situation ahead of the summer transfer window.