Blackburn absentees explained as transfer interest ramps up
Sam Szmodics and Sam Gallagher were both left out of Blackburn Rovers’ friendly with Wigan Athletic due to transfer interest.
Rovers knocked back a bid from Ipswich Town for their star man earlier this week. Talks are ongoing between the two clubs and so the 28-year-old wasn’t risked in their latest pre-season outing.
Similarly, Gallagher has attracted interest from an unnamed club, believed to be Championship rivals Stoke City. He has one year left on his contract and, therefore, it was always plausible he might leave this summer.
Arnor Sigurdsson also missed out but that was due to a groin injury sustained in training on Friday. Eustace cut a frustrated figure as he explained the reasons for the absentees.
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“Sammie is the same, there has been interest from clubs and they’re talking again,” John Eustace told The Lancashire Telegraph on the absentees.
It’s the same sort of situation. I don’t know if he’ll stay or go, I am just coaching the team. It’s nothing to do with me.
“I want him to stay as I said last night. The two clubs are talking, there was no point risking him. He’s a very fit lad and a good player so we’ll see how that develops.
“Sam (Gallagher) has interest from other teams and that’s something that is being looked at as well.”
Rovers are yet to make a summer signing, at the time of writing, though a deal for striker Yuki Ohashi looks set to be completed next week.
With the money from the sale of Adam Wharton not reinvested and now two of Rovers’ fellow sellable assets in talks elsewhere, there is big concern amongst the fan base as to whether these players will be replaced.
“I want to keep the group together, I have said that,” Eustace said.
“I want to build on last season and the fantastic team spirit we have, the togetherness and I want to bring experienced, exciting players to add to that
“I don’t want to lose any players from the group that we have got. But at the moment, there is a couple that might be going.”
When asked if he had been given assurances as to whether the money would be reinvested, he added: “Listen, I know the recruitment team are working as hard as they can.
“That’s all I can say. The club know what they are doing, they are in charge. Hopefully, they bring in the right players to make us better as I said last year.
“At the end of last season, we had a fantastic squad with fantastic togetherness. If we bring the right players in, then we can do really well next season.”
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