Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Yasin Ayari says he is open to a return to Blackburn Rovers next season following a loan spell at the club last campaign.
Sweden international Ayari spent the second half of the season in Lancashire after being signed by former Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson. However, Tomasson would be dismissed from his post shortly after his signing which did somewhat affect the Swede’s minutes.
The midfielder has linked up with his former manager, returning to the fold at international level since, with Tomasson now in charge of the Swedish national team. A regular in the under-21 side, Ayari has now made two appearances at a senior level for his country and is continuing to learn the professional game.
Despite making three appearances for Brighton in the top flight the season prior, perhaps another loan move could quicken his progression as he’s not exactly in the plans at the AMEX currently.
In an interview with Expressen, (translated from Swedish), Ayari said:
“It was a good loan. I didn’t get to play as much as I wanted but every time I got to jump in, I did well and they appreciated what I did.
“I spoke to the coach before I left and he wants me back there, but we will see what happens.”
The 20-year-old played ten times for the Lancashire who are now managed by former Birmingham City boss John Eustace in the second tier. They’d secured their Championship status with victory over champions Leicester City on the last day of the season.
Ayari’s move to East Lancashire wasn’t his only spell in the second division last term, following a loan move to Coventry City in the first half of the campaign, which saw the Swede score once in 13 appearances. Rated by Transfermarkt at around the £3.8 million mark, Ayari is expected to go onto better things in the future.
As he continues to learn the English game, a return to Ewood Park could be greatly beneficial next term. At just 20 years-of-age there’s plenty of potential for progress and he could play an important role if he was to complete a loan move.
Writer’s View
Blackburn have become a breeding ground for young Premier League talent getting used to the senior game in recent years. The likes of Tyler Morton, Jarrad Branthwaite and Harvey Elliott would all spend time at Ewood Park before progressing onto bigger things.
Despite his limited role and Blackburn’s struggles during his time in Lancashire, Ayari is no exception. With the Blues entering the new campaign off the back of a difficult campaign where they only just scraped relegation, keeping him may be a sure-fire way to ensure continuity for John Eustace’s side. It would also offer the Swede the first-team minutes he needs to make the step up and build on the glimpses of talent shown last season.
