Blackburn Rovers are planning a transfer reunion with a former Stoke City star at no cost.

Blackburn Rovers head into the new season searching for significant improvement after a frustrating and underwhelming Championship campaign. The club endured a difficult year both on and off the pitch, leaving supporters disappointed and increasingly vocal about their concerns regarding the direction of the team.

With instability behind the scenes contributing to an inconsistent season, questions remain over how Blackburn can reverse their fortunes and become more competitive in the coming months. As they prepare for what will be their ninth consecutive season in the Championship, expectations are mixed. The division is set to be as competitive as ever, and securing a place in the top half of the table could prove a challenging task for the Lancashire outfit.

To avoid another disappointing campaign, Blackburn must approach the summer transfer window carefully. Recruitment will be crucial, and the club cannot afford to make mistakes in the market. Smart additions are required if they are to move forward rather than become embroiled in a battle near the bottom of the standings.

Midfield Depth Should Be a Priority

One area that appears to need strengthening is central midfield. While Blackburn already possess several capable options, including Ryoya Morishita, Adam Forshaw, and Moussa Baradji, greater competition for places could help raise standards throughout the squad.

Adding another experienced midfielder would provide manager and coaching staff with more flexibility while also ensuring the team is not overly reliant on a limited number of players during a long and demanding Championship season.

Fortunately for Blackburn, the market offers a number of opportunities. Several experienced EFL players have become available following the expiration of contracts at their respective clubs, creating the possibility of securing quality additions without paying transfer fees.

Among those available is a player who is already familiar with life at Ewood Park and could represent an excellent piece of business for the club.

Lewis Baker Could Be an Ideal Target

Over the years, Blackburn have welcomed numerous loan players to Ewood Park. Some have made little impact, while others have left a lasting impression on supporters and coaching staff alike.

Lewis Baker falls into the latter category.

The former Chelsea academy graduate previously spent time with Blackburn on loan and made 13 appearances during his temporary spell at the club while contracted to Stoke City. Although his stay was relatively brief, he demonstrated enough quality to suggest he could still have something to offer Rovers.

Now available on a free transfer after leaving Stoke, Baker should be a player firmly on Blackburn’s radar this summer.

Successful Spell at Stoke City

Since joining Stoke City in 2022 following his departure from Chelsea, Baker established himself as an important figure at the club. During his four-year stay with the Potters, he made 130 appearances and scored 30 goals, an impressive return for a midfielder.

His influence extended beyond goals and assists. Baker became a regular presence in Stoke’s starting lineup and emerged as one of the squad’s leaders both on and off the pitch.

Throughout his time at the club, he earned the trust of managers and teammates alike, eventually captaining the side and playing a significant role in their attempts to challenge for promotion.

His experience, professionalism, and consistency made him one of Stoke’s most dependable performers.

Injury Setback Impacted Stoke’s Campaign

The 2025/26 season proved more challenging for Baker due to injury.

A serious ankle problem sustained in November 2025 forced him to spend approximately five months on the sidelines. At the time of his injury, Stoke were competing strongly and harbouring ambitions of securing a play-off place.

Without Baker’s presence in midfield, however, the team’s momentum began to fade.

By the time he returned to action, Stoke had fallen well behind the promotion contenders and were no longer realistically competing for a top-six finish.

While it would be unfair to place all responsibility for their decline on Baker’s absence, his injury undoubtedly removed an important component from the team.

His importance became increasingly apparent during the months he was unavailable.

Experience Remains a Valuable Asset

Despite the lengthy injury layoff, Baker still managed to make 18 appearances under manager Mark Robins during the 2025/26 campaign.

At 31 years of age, he remains capable of contributing at Championship level and possesses a wealth of experience gained over many years in English football.

Few available free agents can match his understanding of the demands and challenges associated with the division.

Having spent the majority of his career competing in the Championship, Baker knows exactly what is required to succeed in one of Europe’s most physically demanding leagues.

His leadership qualities are equally valuable. As a former captain, he brings maturity, professionalism, and a strong mentality that could benefit any dressing room.

These characteristics could prove especially important for a Blackburn squad looking to bounce back from a disappointing season.

Filling the Void Left by Sondre Tronstad

Blackburn recently confirmed their retained list, with one of the most notable departures being Sondre Tronstad.

The Norwegian midfielder is set to leave the club when his contract expires at the end of June, bringing an end to a spell that began in 2023.

Tronstad’s departure creates a significant gap within the squad, particularly in terms of experience and midfield stability.

Replacing a player of his profile will not be easy, but Baker appears well suited to the task.

His ability to dictate play, contribute creatively, and provide leadership could help soften the impact of losing Tronstad.

Given his familiarity with Blackburn and previous experience at Ewood Park, he would likely adapt quickly and require little time to settle into the environment.

Additional Midfield Reinforcements Needed

Further strengthening the argument for a move is the departure of Taylor Gardner-Hickman.

After spending the season on loan at Blackburn, Gardner-Hickman is scheduled to return to Birmingham City, reducing the club’s options in central midfield even further.

With both Tronstad and Gardner-Hickman no longer available, Blackburn face the prospect of entering the new campaign with limited depth in a key area of the pitch.

Recruiting at least one experienced midfielder should therefore be considered a priority.

Baker’s availability on a free transfer makes him an attractive option from both a sporting and financial perspective.

Creative Ability Could Benefit Blackburn

One of Baker’s greatest strengths is his technical quality.

Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an ability to create chances, score goals from midfield, and influence matches in possession.

These attributes could provide Blackburn with an additional attacking dimension, particularly in games where creativity has been lacking.

His vision, passing range, and set-piece delivery have often made him a valuable asset, while his experience allows him to manage games effectively in high-pressure situations.

For a Blackburn side seeking greater consistency and attacking output, those qualities could be extremely useful.

A Move That Makes Sense for Both Parties

Considering the circumstances, a move for Lewis Baker appears logical.

He already understands the club, is available without a transfer fee, possesses extensive Championship experience, and would address a clear need within Blackburn’s squad.

The club’s recruitment team may face competition for his signature, as players of Baker’s calibre rarely remain available for long.

Other Championship clubs are likely to recognise the value he could bring and may already be exploring potential deals.

For that reason, Blackburn cannot afford to delay if they believe he is the right fit.

Final Verdict

As Blackburn Rovers prepare for another challenging Championship season, making intelligent decisions in the transfer market will be essential.

Lewis Baker represents a low-risk, high-value opportunity. His experience, leadership, technical ability, and familiarity with the club make him a strong candidate to strengthen the midfield.

With key departures creating gaps in the squad and free-agent options available, pursuing Baker could prove to be one of the smartest moves Blackburn make this summer.

If Rovers are serious about climbing the table and moving in a positive direction during the 2026/27 campaign, securing a player of Baker’s quality should be among their top priorities.