Blackburn Rovers in advanced talks to sign Siriki Dembele

By Wayne Veysey

1st Sep, 2022 | 11:49am

Sources: Blackburn Rovers in advanced talks to sign Siriki Dembele

Blackburn Rovers are in advanced talks to sign Bournemouth attacker Siriki Dembele, sources have told Football Insider.

The winger was a target for Turkish giants Besiktas, but Blackburn are now well placed to lure him to Ewood Park.

Dembele, 25, only joined Bournemouth from Peterborough United in January, but he has since been deemed surplus to requirements.

The Ivory-coast born forward is under contract at Dean Court until 2025.

He was an unused substitute for the Cherries’ first three matches of 2021-22 but was not part of the squad at all for the subsequent three fixtures, including the League Cup shootout victory over Norwich City last Tuesday (23 August).

Dembele registered a combined total of seven goals and three assists in 38 appearances last term for both Bournemouth and Peterborough.

He is accomplished anywhere across the forward line, although he is most natural on the left of a front three.

As first revealed by Football Insider on Tuesday (30 August), Blackburn have signed 23-year-old forward George Hirst on loan from Leicester City.

The completed switch comes amid uncertainty regarding the future of star striker Ben Brereton Diaz.

The 23-year-old Chile international has been the subject of a bid from Spanish side Nice, and Everton and Nice have also registered their interest.

He was on target as Blackburn beat Blackpool at Bloomfield Road on Wednesday night (31 August) to move 5th in the Championship.

New manager John Dahl Tomasson, who is working alongside new director of football Gregg Broughton, has made six signings in total so far this summer.

In other news, Bournemouth, Sheffield United and Blackburn Rovers in race to sign Yerson Chacon.