Blackburn are still waiting to find out if they've signed player - five days after transfer window closed

Championship side Blackburn Rovers are still waiting to find out whether they have signed a player on loan - five days after the January transfer window shut.

Rovers announced on deadline day that they had signed striker Duncan McGuire on loan from MLS side Orlando City.

That announcement was made at 11:02pm on deadline day - hours after Crystal Palace had confirmed the £22 million signing of Rovers midfielder Adam Wharton.

The McGuire move, the club stated, was subject to international clearance and visa approvals.

The 23-year-old, a United States international and scorer of 13 MLS goals last season, has been in the country since the signing was announced, and even attended Rovers' 2-1 Championship defeat to Queens Park Rangers at Ewood Park on Saturday.

✍️ We are delighted to unveil the signing of striker Duncan McGuire from MLS side Orlando City, subject to international clearance and visa requirements being approved.

Welcome, @DuncanMcGuire5! 🇺🇸#Rovers 🔵⚪️

— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) February 1, 2024

According to the Lancashire Telegraph, the club had agreed a permanent transfer with Orlando City, but The Athletic claim that aspect of the deal was cancelled while McGuire was flying to England, and that club management were told by Rovers' Indian owners, Venky's, to pull out of the deal due to insufficient finances.

Venky's are currently under investigation by the Indian government over a tax dispute which, according to reports, has created some challenges in transferring funds to the club. A High Court hearing has been set for March 12.

However, the owners did provide £11 million of interim funding to the club last year.

And Rovers confirmed last month that further funding will be received by the club 'in due course' to cover club costs 'until at the end of the season'. The owners have given assurance that they will continue to fully support the club.

It is reported that the McGuire move was hastily changed to a loan deal with an option to buy, which is what Rovers announced on Thursday evening.

The American striker was even photographed shaking hands with director of football Gregg Broughton, who said he was 'really pleased to have secured the signing'.

Meanwhile, the player himself was keen on leaving Orlando for a move to the UK, and is said to have told the MLS club as such.

Five days on, though, and Rovers still do not know whether McGuire's signing will be ratified.

Meanwhile, manager Jon Dahl Tomasson did not speak to local media on Friday ahead of the side's clash with QPR, in what was a club decision.

When the former AC Milan and Malmo forward did speak to media after the defeat, he clarified: "It was a club decision, I was told I wasn't allowed to speak with the press. I have no further comment to that.

🔵 ⚪ "Is this club in crisis?"

"It's a very serious situation. But nothing has changed, it was also very serious in the summer when suddenly there was a hand grenade that changed everything with the cutting of the budget."#Blackburn #Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson#bbcefl

— BBC Sport Lancashire (@BBCLancsSport) February 4, 2024

"It was a club decision, I can't comment on the reason why. You probably already know what could be the reason. It is difficult not to get a better answer ... We should tell the fans everything, they are the soul of the football club."

The Lancashire Telegraph reported that a paperwork error relating to McGuire's loan move is holding up the deal.

That was then confirmed by the club in a statement on Tuesday, as they revealed that the EFL had rejected the move due to 'registration documents being submitted after the 11pm transfer deadline'.

There is, though, still some hope for Rovers fans.

The statement continues: "All of the necessary signed paperwork had been completed prior to 10pm on Thursday February 1, however due to an administrative error, the forms were not processed within the prescribed time.

📰 Club Statement - Duncan McGuire

🔗 https://t.co/bHP1JeWs7N#Rovers 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/c1NdGLooXj

— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) February 6, 2024

"Detailed discussions with legal representatives and the relevant football authorities have taken place over the past few days to try and reach an urgent positive resolution to the matter.

"The club's lawyers have prepared the required papers and sent to the EFL Board, who will consider the case on Thursday February 8."

Rovers add that McGuire has been permitted to remain in the UK, but will return to the States to prepare for the start of the 2024 MLS season if his registration isn't approved.

And the club will attempt to strike another deal if that occurs - a pre-contract agreement that would allow McGuire to join once the summer transfer window opens.

McGuire signed a deal with Orlando to cover the 2023 season last year, with options to take it into 2024, 2025 and 2026. It is unclear how many of these options have been activated.