Blackburn Rovers chief executive Steve Curwood has spoken candidly about a summer transfer window he admits was "frustrating" for everyone at Ewood Park, acknowledging that three deals collapsed on deadline day while insisting the board's commitment to investment was never in doubt.

Three deals lost at the final hurdle

Rovers made four signings before the window closed on Tuesday, but Tony Mowbray's side were unable to add the extra quality the head coach had targeted. Two of those failed deadline-day moves are understood by BBC Radio Lancashire to have involved midfielder Reo Hatate, who joined Burnley, and Brian De Keersmaecker, who moved to Bristol City. A third deal, described by Curwood as a foreign transfer, took longer to process than anticipated and ultimately did not conclude.

"Deals were on the table," Curwood told BBC Radio Lancashire. "Deals were agreed with players and clubs. We can talk about morals in football, maybe there aren't too many now and that's what's happened. We were gazumped at the last minute on a couple of deals."

The CEO was clear that reluctance from the Rovers board was not a factor. "The investment has been there," he said. "There hasn't been a reluctance from the board. There has been collaboration throughout the process. I think at the final hurdle we haven't been able to get them over the line."

Timing of Mowbray's appointment cited as a key factor

Curwood pointed to the late appointment of Mowbray, who returned to the club on 5 June following Michael O'Neill's decision to turn down the permanent role in mid-May, as a significant constraint on the window. The CEO argued that a manager arriving in early summer would normally have several weeks to identify targets before the market fully opens.

"Ideally your manager will be in by the start of May to work out where we're going for next year," Curwood said. "So that timeline has been constrained somewhat, and then conflated by injuries."

He also defended the club's decision to pursue specific targets rather than simply fill squad numbers. Using Jayden Fevrier as an example of a signing made with confidence early in the process, Curwood acknowledged the inherent risk in holding out for preferred options: "These things happen when you try to be specific, but none of us want to just bring in players to add bodies in the building."

Seven departures and a top-heavy squad

Seven players left Ewood Park across the summer. According to BBC Radio Lancashire, the club turned down offers for Ryoya Morishita, Sean McLoughlin, Balazs Toth, Yuki Ohashi and Ryan Alebiosu, suggesting Rovers were selective about who departed as well as who arrived. Curwood defended the outgoings, noting that the squad had been "top-heavy" and that some players required regular minutes elsewhere: "Certain players needed game-time, like George Pratt going to Bradford," he said.

Curwood asks supporters for patience

Curwood, who joined Rovers from League Two Fleetwood Town roughly two months ago, acknowledged the window had been "chaotic" but asked fans to allow the club time to bed in its new structure. He cited the departure of an administrator to another club and the loss of a senior physiotherapist as further disruptions during his opening weeks.

"It's been a whirlwind since I arrived," he said. "The first 90 days will give me time to reflect and bring some of the processes this club need to improve where we are. We'll be in a very different position moving into the next window, and beyond that."

For Mowbray and Rovers, the focus now shifts to what is available on the pitch. The Championship campaign is under way and the squad, despite the window's shortcomings, will need to find consistency quickly if the club is to avoid the kind of relegation anxiety that coloured last season.

Frequently asked

Why did Blackburn Rovers fail to sign players on transfer deadline day?
According to BBC Radio Lancashire, Blackburn were 'gazumped' on two deals at the last minute, with Reo Hatate joining Burnley and Brian De Keersmaecker moving to Bristol City instead. A third deal involving a foreign player took longer than anticipated and did not complete in time.
How many signings did Blackburn make in the summer transfer window?
Blackburn Rovers made four signings in total before the summer window closed, though CEO Steve Curwood acknowledged the club had hoped to add more quality to Tony Mowbray's squad.
Who is Steve Curwood and when did he join Blackburn Rovers?
Steve Curwood is Blackburn Rovers' new chief executive, who joined the club approximately two months ago from League Two side Fleetwood Town, replacing the previous CEO.