Sunderland boss responds to Blackburn Rovers’ interest in Danny Batth

Tony Mowbray has left the door open to Danny Batth leaving Sunderland this summer, amid Rovers’ interest, but says the defender will be part of Sunderland’s pre-season trip to USA next week.

Rovers are interested in adding the 32-year-old defender to their squad, with Jon Dahl Tomasson confirming that adding a central defender to his ranks is on his wishlist following the departure of Daniel Ayala upon the expiry of his contract.

Sunderland’s player of the year Batth is a target, although no progress has been made on a potential deal.

Mowbray has hinted the arrivals of Nectar Triantis and Jenson Seelt, and current defensive options at the Stadium of Light, could free up Batth to leave the club this summer, despite being named player of the year for 2022/23 only a matter of weeks ago.

 

Batth played 40 times for Sunderland last term, but Mowbray admits the options at his disposal could reduce that moving forward.

Although the former Wolves youngster still has a year left to run on his contract it is understood that Sunderland would be open to a deal without the need for any initial fee which would otherwise be a barrier to a deal.

Batth wasn’t involved in either of Sunderland’s friendlies, against South Shields or Gateshead, due to injury but is scheduled to be part of the squad that heads to the US for a pre-season training camp.

“We’ll have to wait and see,” Mowbray said when asked about Batth’s situation.

 

“It seems strange doesn’t it to be talking about your player of the year last year but we have signed two young centre halves, you hope that Dan Ballard stays fit and that Dennis Cirkin and Aji Alese aren’t too far away.

“You reach a certain age in football and you want to play, I get on really with Danny and I’ve been there myself as a player. Let’s see what the next six weeks brings on that front.

“He was amazing last year, I have to say that. If he stays great, if he goes it’s because he wants to play. He’ll get a feel of it [and we’ll go from there].”