Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray has suggested that forward Adam Armstrong could have to be sold by the club in the summer if he decides he wants a move.

Armstrong is set to be one of the most sought-after players in the Championship this summer, with the forward having enjoyed an impressive campaign and managed to fire in 25 goals and five assists in his 39 Championship appearances. That tally can only be bettered by both Teemu Pukki and Ivan Toney and has shown that the 24-year-old is a player well on the rise.

There have been plenty of reports circulating over his future throughout the season. It is believed by Lancashire Live that the forward remains on the radars of both West Ham and his former club Newcastle United heading into the summer. That suggests that Blackburn are going to have to brace themselves for potential offers for the striker.

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph, Mowbray admitted that if the forward and his representatives make it clear he wants to leave then they will have to cash in on him. While he also stressed any money received for him would have to be reinvested in the squad.

He said: “In my opinion, it’s best that we keep Adam Armstrong, but if Adam and his advisors decide that it’s time to go, then we have to try and reinvest and make sure that we don’t weaken as a team.

“We got Adam for less than £2m, which is why I always talk about recruitment and push it so hard.

“We have to make sure that if Adam does depart and we get some money for him, we have to know where that money is going.”

The verdict

It does seem inevitable that Armstrong will be leaving Blackburn in the summer, even though Mowbray rightly is hoping that they might be able to keep hold of him. The forward seems to have now outgrown the Championship and proven that he is ready to make the step up to the Premier League next term and it would be hard to stand in his way if he feels that.

This latest update from Mowbray does suggest that he knows he can not stand in the way of the forward if Blackburn receive a strong offer for him this summer. However, he will be nervous over how the money would be reinvested in the squad and they would need to make some excellent additions to replace the 25 goals lost from their side.

Blackburn, if they used the money wisely, might be able to add two or three quality players to their squad if they cash in on Armstrong. That might make a major difference in terms of their ability to challenge more closely for the top-six next term. So, they will hope that if they have to sell Armstrong, they are prepared to make the right signings to replace him.