Blackburn Rovers are close to reaching an agreement to sign Wigan Athletic defender Cedric Kipre according to the Lancashire Telegraph. 

Kipre has been impressive since joining the Latics in 2018 from Scottish side Motherwell, and has made 77 appearances in total for Wigan.

He featured on 37 occasions last season for Wigan, but his efforts weren't quite enough as they were relegated from the Championship.

The club had entered administration midway through last year's league campaign, which resulted in them being deducted points at the end of the season, as they were relegated into League One.

With off-the-field uncertainty still surrounding their future, Wigan are likely to cash-in on a number of players before the new league campaign gets under way in September.

A move to Blackburn will surely be tempting for Kipre as well, with Tony Mowbray's side likely to be challenging for a top-six finish in the Championship next season.

Rovers finished 11th in the second-tier standings last term, and seven points adrift of the play-off places, so you would imagine that they'll fancy their chances of forcing themselves into the play-off places this time around.

Blackburn are set to take on AFC Bournemouth in their opening match of the Championship season, in what is certain to be a tricky test for the Lancashire-based side.

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The Verdict: 

This is a really smart signing by Blackburn if the deal is confirmed.

Kipre has impressed me since coming into the Wigan team, and I think he'd be an excellent addition to the Blackburn Rovers team ahead of the new season.

They still need to find an adequate replacement for Tosin Adarabioyo, who returned to Manchester City from his loan spell with Blackburn.

With Darragh Lenihan also being linked with a summer departure, it certainly makes sense for Tony Mowbray to be targeting another central defender.