Blackburn Rovers are reportedly in talks with Japan international Ryōtarō Itō, although their pursuit of former Leicester City forward Jordan Ayew appears to have ended.
Rovers have turned to the free-agent market after failing to complete all their desired business before the summer transfer window closed. Tony Mowbray is reportedly keen to add as many as three players to his squad, with attacking reinforcements among the club’s priorities.
According to Alan Nixon, Itō has visited Blackburn’s training ground for talks over a potential move to Ewood Park. The 28-year-old midfielder is without a club after leaving Belgian side Sint-Truiden during the summer.
Itō would become the third Japanese player in Mowbray’s squad if an agreement can be reached, joining Yuki Ohashi and Ryoya Morishita at the Championship club.
The midfielder began his senior career with Urawa Red Diamonds, making seven league appearances after progressing into their first team. Two loan spells with Mito HollyHock provided him with more regular football, and he scored 13 goals across 60 J2 League appearances.
Following a brief loan spell with Oita Trinita, Itō joined Albirex Niigata and played an important part in their 2022 J2 League title triumph. He scored nine times in 42 league appearances and was named in the division’s Best XI.
Itō carried that form into the Japanese top flight, scoring seven goals in 16 J1 League matches before joining Sint-Truiden in 2023. He went on to register 19 goals across 104 Belgian Pro League appearances, while his performances during the 2025/26 season earned him a place in the league’s Team of the Season.
Reports credit the midfielder with ten goals and five assists across 35 appearances last term. An attacking player known for his creativity, set-piece delivery and ability to score from midfield, he could provide some of the invention Blackburn lacked during the previous campaign.
Rovers scored only 42 times across 46 Championship games last season, leaving Mowbray searching for players capable of creating and converting opportunities in the final third. Itō, who made his senior Japan debut against Thailand in January 2024, appears to fit that requirement.
However, Blackburn look set to miss out on another of their reported targets. Jordan Ayew is said to be travelling to England to complete a move to a club in Sheffield, with either Sheffield United or Sheffield Wednesday expected to secure his signature.
The 34-year-old Ghana captain had been linked with a switch to Ewood Park after becoming a free agent, but the latest report states that a move to Blackburn is no longer under consideration.
Ayew’s expected move elsewhere increases the importance of Blackburn’s other free-agent discussions. Will Smallbone and Rabbi Matondo have also been linked with Rovers, while talks with Itō could offer Mowbray a different solution to his side’s attacking shortcomings.
Comments Welcome!