Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray has insisted that he would not stand in the way of forward Adam Armstrong moving on if he gets the chance to move to the Premier League, amid speculation over possible Newcastle return.
Armstrong has been a revelation at Ewood Park this season, with the forward having fired in an impressive tally of 19 goals and three assists in 31 Championship appearances (Sofascore).
That has seen the former Newcastle academy graduate attract the interests of West Ham, who considered making an £8 million offer for him in January with David Moyes keen, per The Sun.
It has been reported by Chronicle Live recently that the forward would potentially be interested in making a return to St James’ Park in the summer. While the same report also outlined that the Magpies could secure a deal for him cheaper than other rival clubs because of a sizeable 40% sell-on clause in his contract.
Blackburn are thought to be valuing him at around £25 million at this stage, but the club are currently in talks with him over a potential new contract with his current one expiring in the summer of 2022.
Speaking to Lancashire Live, Mowbray was hopeful that the forward might be convinced to remain at Ewood Park, but he admitted that he could not stand in his way of a Premier League should that potentially arise in the summer.
He said: “He has to keep scoring goals, he’s obviously done very well so far.
“I think footballers and the power that footballers have got these days, they can sort of dictate a little bit of course.
“Let’s wait and see. I hope Adam feels he’s at the right place. I’ve had Adam before at Coventry, he scored 20 goals that season as well.
“He’s still a relatively young player. Of course if the Premier League come calling, I would never try and deny an opportunity for a player to go and play in the Premier League. As long as we’re recompensed correctly for the value that we thought so we can reinvest, I think that’s a potential scenario with Adam.
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This update suggests that it is likely that Armstrong will be leaving Blackburn in the summer, assuming he does not sign a new extension in the near future. Mowbray in an ideal world would obviously want to keep hold of the club’s top scorer and a player of his quality, but it seems inevitable that he will get Premier League offers this summer.
Newcastle’s interest in him is not concrete at the moment, but it would seem like a potentially big mistake if they do not go in for him given that he is thought to be keen on moving back to St James’ Park. The Magpies have struggled in the absence of Callum Wilson, and the forward is a potential option that could fill some of the goalscoring burden.
Given the Magpies can get Armstrong cheaper than other sides such as West Ham, it would seem like a very sensible piece of business for them to tempt Blackburn into a sale this summer.
