Exclusive: Blackburn Rovers respond to Genoa’s Ryan Alebiosu offer
Blackburn Rovers have rejected an offer of around £4.3million from Genoa for right-back Ryan Alebiosu, sources have told Football Insider.
Genoa are targeting the 24-year-old as a replacement for Brooke Norton-Cuffy, who is now poised to join Inter Milan before the upcoming transfer deadline.
Football Insider recently revealed that Everton were chasing a move for Norton-Cuffy, but it is now Inter who appear set to win the race to sign him, which could have a knock-on effect on Blackburn.
Valerien Ismael’s side have knocked back the initial offer for Alebiosu, but it remains to be seen whether Genoa will return to the table with an improved bid in the coming days.
Blackburn desperate to avoid losing Ryan Alebiosu days before deadline
Blackburn are fighting for their lives in the Championship this term, as they are currently occupying the final relegation place, with a one-point gap between them and Portsmouth, who sit just outside the drop zone.
The Lancashire outfit have found additions to their squad hard to come by so far this month, with the arrival of Mathias Jorgensen and a loan move for Eiran Cashin currently their only incomings.
As a result, Ismael and Co. will be desperate to avoid losing Alebiosu before Monday night’s deadline, as it would leave them with virtually no time to replace the outgoing star.
The Nigerian has been an influential figure at Ewood Park this season, having started 21 league games already this term, despite missing a month of the season at AFCON with his country.
Alebiosu has been a crucial part of Ismael’s backline, but his creative contributions have also been invaluable, considering that only Todd Cantwell can better his tally of two assists so far this term.
The full-back only joined from St Mirren in the summer, and Blackburn look prepared to stand in the way of any potential departure just six months into his time with them.
Blackburn’s relegation rivals set to strengthen their defence
Football Insider revealed on Friday that Oxford are in talks for Luton defender Christ Makosso with a view to swooping to secure a last-minute deal.
The 21-year-old is keen to move away from Kenilworth Road in order to fulfil his desire to play at a higher level than League One, and former Hatters boss Matt Bloomfield is seemingly willing to grant Makosso a move up to the Championship.
The U’s are currently sitting just two points behind Blackburn in the race to beat the drop, but are still hopeful of adding to their squad before the imminent deadline.
Oxford’s potential to strengthen their hand could potentially be countered by Blackburn losing a key player in Alebiosu, which could have a decisive say in the outcome of the relegation battle.