Blackburn's bold Ito chase collapses, leaving midfield in limbo

Blackburn Rovers saw their attempt to sign free‑agent Japanese midfielder Ryotaro Ito collapse after a medical flagged concerns, leaving a hole in the Championship side’s midfield and prompting the club to consider former Southampton star Joe Aribo as an alternative.

Ito's aborted signing

Ito, who logged more than 100 games for Belgian side Sint‑Truiden between 2023 and 2026, was a free agent when Blackburn moved to secure his services. The club believed his arrival at Ewood Park would add a new dimension, but the medical examination caused the deal to fall apart at the last minute.

Why Blackburn chased the Japanese midfielder

The Rovers entered the summer window needing fresh midfield options, and Ito’s technical ability and experience in the Belgian Pro League promised to bolster their creative play. Securing a player of his calibre without a transfer fee was seen as an audacious yet potentially rewarding strategy.

The summer transfer window closed almost two weeks ago, meaning Blackburn cannot sign another contracted player until the start of January. Free agents, however, remain available and could fill the gap immediately.

Alternatives on the horizon

The 34‑times‑capped Nigerian international Joe Aribo has been a free agent since Southampton released him at the end of the 2025‑26 season. He amassed almost 100 appearances for Rangers and more than 50 Premier League games for Southampton across the 2022‑23 and 2024‑25 campaigns, and he can operate centrally or on the wing while holding up play and carrying possession.

Thirty‑year‑old Olivier Ntcham, who earned nine caps for Cameroon, also sits out of contract after his spell with Turkish side Samsunspor ended in the summer. He made nearly 150 appearances for Celtic between 2017 and 2021, featured regularly for Swansea City in the Championship from 2021 to 2023, and was part of Cameroon’s 2022 World Cup squad.

Greg Docherty left Charlton Athletic by mutual consent a week after featuring in their EFL Cup trip to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and he has not yet signed for another club. The midfielder remains available as a free‑agent option.

The failed Ito deal leaves Blackburn with a midfield vacancy that must be filled before the January window, while the free agents listed offer immediate, low‑cost options. Ito remains available and hopes to find a new club before the winter window opens.

Action Images By  Ian King AM GMT+1 Ian was born in London in 1972. From 2006 until 2021 he ran the football website Twohundredpercent and from 2021 to 2023 was a senior features writer for Football365. He now freelances for Fotmob and When Saturday Comes, has earned FSA awards and lives in West Sussex with his family. Us.