Blackburn Rovers should look to take advantage of Middlesbrough exit: View | OneFootball

Blackburn Rovers know they have plenty to do in the transfer market over the course of this summer.

Only a final-day win away at Leicester City was enough to prevent the Ewood Park club suffering relegation from the Championship to League One.

So with those connected to the Lancashire outfit no doubt desperate to avoid being dragged into such a situation again, they will have to strengthen the squad before the start of next season.

There are a number of positions that the club will likely need to reinforce this summer to do that.

One of those that it seems there is a good chance they will to find further reinforcements for, is at centre-back.

Blackburn may be short on central defensive options

Right now, it does look as though there is a chance Rovers may need to add to their central defensive options this summer.

Last month, it was revealed that Scott Wharton is likely to miss most of the rest of next season due to injury.

Meanwhile, Billy Koumetio is set to return to Liverpool after spending the second half of the season on loan at Ewood Park.

Elsewhere, some reports have suggested that Connor O'Riordan could be sent out on loan after struggling for game time since arriving back in January.

Beyond that, while both head coach John Eustace and the player himself have indicated they would like it to happen, it remains to be seen if Kyle McFadzean will sign a new contract, with his current deal due to expire in the summer.

Even if he does stay, at 37 years old, it would likely be a big ask for him to play week in, week out across the whole of the campaign.

All of that could leave Blackburn short on depth in the centre of their defence, making that an area they need to recruit in, especially given Eustace does like to have the option to play with a three-man central defensive line.

With that in mind, it could be argued that they should be taking an interest in one player who has already confirmed he will be on the move this summer.

Paddy McNair could be a useful addition at Ewood Park

With his contract at Middlesbrough set to expire at the end of this season, Paddy McNair has announced that he will be leaving the Riverside after six years this summer.

Given their need for centre-backs, that is something that Blackburn should be looking to take advantage of if at all possible.

The Northern Ireland international would not only add depth in that position, but he would be a reliable option to step into the role, having been a solid operator at this level throughout much of his career.

Beyond that, at 29 years old, McNair still has plenty to offer in terms of the time remaining in his career, but also offers the type of experience Blackburn will no doubt need to add to what is still a relatively young squad at Ewood Park.

It is also worth noting that it does remain to be seen exactly how much money the club will be able to invest in transfers over the course in the summer.

If they once again find themselves working on a limited budget, signing someone such as McNair on a free transfer would look to be a smart move, given he would bring plenty of the sort of attributes Blackburn ought to be looking for in their new signings ahead of the coming campaign.

As a result, the decision that has already been taken when it comes to McNair's departure from Middlesbrough this summer is one that Blackburn should surely be trying to take advantage of.