Blackburn Rovers midfielder Joe Rothwell has been impressing in the Rovers midfield leaving speculation mounting on the 27-year-olds future. 

Rothwell's contract expires at the end of the 2021/22 season meaning he's free to speak to clubs outside of England as of January 1st and has already been heavily linked with Rangers.

This speculation has led to Rovers manager Tony Mowbray commenting on the midfielder's situation, as he admitted they 'can't stop admiring glances'.

He told the Lancashire Telegraph: "We’ve been talking about how amazing Joe Rothwell is, just his technique and his outstanding ability to run with the ball.

“It’s not just good, he is the best in this league in my mind at running with the ball and would be one of the best in the Premier League.

“We see the speculation between our players and other clubs, is it right, is it media speculation and someone has picked it out of the air? Maybe. I speak to my players, I’d like to think they trust me and not just giving them manager spiel, I was a player for a long time and understand the emotions of it."

Rothwell isn't the only one out of contract as the club are still negotiations with Darragh Lenihan, Ryan Nyambe and Ben Brereton-Diaz.

On the contract situation of key players, Mowbray admitted they're powerless to Premier League clubs, as he added: “If they’re confident they can get to the Premier League or earn twice the money elsewhere, I understand it."

Blackburn currently sit 12th in the Championship table, one point adrift of the play-off places ahead of their trip to Pride Park to face Derby County on Saturday afternoon.

The Verdict

Blackburn are not in a healthy position by any means when it comes to player contracts.

With so many first team players out of contract, you have to question where Rovers will be from the end of the season if the futures of these players isn't sorted.

Adam Armstrong's contract was allowed to run down which meant Rovers weren't able to demand the fee they probably expected, and it will be the same should Rovers decide these players can be sold in the next transfer window.

If they are unable to do that, it could be tricky for them to put a squad together that is capable of competing in the Championship next season, without any fees from the departures of those players.