Blackburn Rovers are said to be preparing a bid for Stockport County defender Ethan Pye, according to the journalist Alan Nixon via his Patreon.
Pye’s club are said to be looking for around £3 million for the 22-year-old.
Pye Looks Good For Ismael
Valerien Ismael is looking to reshape his Blackburn squad having missed out on the playoffs by two points last season.
The Frenchman took over with just 12 Championship matches remaining and got off to a dreadful start, taking just one point from his first six matches. An upturn in form saw four wins and two draws from the final six but Rovers couldn’t make up the ground on Bristol City.
Pye was part of the Stockport County squad looking for a successive promotion but fell short in the playoff semi-finals to Leyton Orient.
The former Stoke City youngster had a fine season, claiming the Young Player of the Year, Players’ Player of the Year and Player of the Year awards at the end of the season.
Ethan Pye ranks highly among his peers, displaying excellent passing accuracy, an eye for a tackle and superb recovery skills. Pye also created three goals, won 308 duels and over 160 aerial duels.
Ismael Seeking Defensive Reinforcements
Blackburn are in the hunt for defensive cover, particularly someone who can operate as a left-sided centre back. Rovers were without Scott Wharton for the entirety of last season through injury while Hayden Carter missed parts of the campaign on the treatment table too.
Ismael is seeking an alternative to the Legia Warsaw defender Steve Kapuadi, whose current employers are holding firm in Blackburn’s pursuit of their man.
The Hatters are reluctant to sell one of their assets and are said to be asking far more than the player’s current market value. Transfermarkt suggest the defender is worth around £500,000 but the club are believed to be looking for around £3 million from Blackburn, or any other suitors looking to capture Pye.
Writer’s View
Pye had an excellent debut League One campaign and has established himself as a very able Football League defender. A move to the Championship looks to be on the cards, whether that be with Rovers or another club later down the line.
For Blackburn, a £3 million fee for a young defender with plenty of development and resale potential could prove to be excellent business.
