Makhtar Gueye, a Blackburn Rovers outcast, could have his immediate future decided this transfer window, with reported interest from Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua.

That is according to Alan Nixon via Patreon, just hours after the East Lancashire side was defeated 2-0 by Wrexham at Ewood Park in a New Year’s Day midday kickoff.

Valerien Ismael has had an inconsistent season thus far, with his side’s current bad run of form extending to only one win in their last nine Championship outings, thanks to first-half goals from Sam Smith and Ollie Rathbone for the Red Dragons.

It is also well-documented that the Frenchman does not have the luxury of large sums of money to spend in a transfer window, which could shape the remainder of Rovers’ campaign as they look to steer well clear of the relegation picture, as Norwich City are now only three points behind them in the final place within the relegation zone with 21 games remaining.

Ismael’s side has also been one of the lowest-scoring teams in the second tier this season, so it’s no wonder that speculation of change in this department has emerged so soon after the window officially opened at the turn of the year on Thursday morning.

Gueye signed in the first of John Eustace’s two transfer windows before his controversial move to Derby County 11 months ago, and his future has been a major topic of discussion since Blackburn’s new manager took over.

And, after becoming an outcast despite his club’s aforementioned problems in front of goal, the Senegalese forward could be removed from the payroll entirely.

Makhtar Gueye’s departure chatter at Blackburn Rovers resurfaces amid Shanghai Shenhua interest.

After scoring six goals and assisting six times in his first 44 league appearances for Blackburn last season, Gueye became the topic of exit talk after the previous transfer window in England closed on September 1st.

Indeed, it was claimed that the 28-year-old was interested in a prospective loan from Turkish Süper Lig club Kocaelispor, with an option or obligation to buy at the end of the campaign.

However, a move for the former RWD Molenbeek attacker never materialized, leaving him with no choice but to stay at Ewood Park for at least a few months.

It is fair to say, however, that in addition to Blackburn’s overall inconsistency and setbacks on the pitch, which have included two home game cancellations, Gueye has had an equally miserable first half of the season on a personal level.

So far this season, the forward has appeared in 16 Championship games. However, none of those have come from the starting lineup, with his attacking partners, Yuki Ohashi and Andri Gudjohnsen, accounting for 14 of Rovers’ 22 goals thus far.

The final of those came in a six-minute cameo in a 2-1 defeat at Portsmouth on December 13th, when Ismael stated he had been overlooked for the next three games owing to a problem with his training performances.

Unsurprisingly, the striker was absent from the New Year’s Day defeat to Phil Parkinson’s side, with Shanghai Shenhua reportedly working on a deal to bring him to the Chinese Super League.

According to Nixon’s report, the club that came second in the division in 2025 has made a proposal, and they should be able to conclude a transaction quickly due to the funds available.

The arrangement between Blackburn Rovers and Shanghai Shenhua for Makhtar Gueye makes sense for everyone involved.

Despite his strong performances last season, Gueye has failed to replicate them this season, and it is apparent that his actions have angered Ismael and a large number of supporters who expect a lot of effort and commitment.

With the aforementioned Ohashi and Gudjohnsen in pretty good form despite Rovers’ disappointing league position and performances, the Senegalese would have needed a spectacular set of circumstances to make his league debut anytime soon.

As a result, the claimed developments make sense for all parties concerned, as Blackburn may save an estimated £10,000 per week on their pay expenditure while perhaps finding a suitable replacement.