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Mowbray admits he may struggle to keep Irons target

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Blackburn Rovers boss Tony Mowbray has told reported West Ham target Adam Armstrong the club can’t stop him moving to the Premier League if that’s what he wants.

This isn’t the first time Mowbray has made it clear that the player could be on his way out of Ewood Park knowing their is interest from Premier clubs.

The 24 year old has had a phenomenal season with 25 goals in 41 games and a summer move looks vey much on the cards.

Mowbray made the right sounds alongside his message aimed at certainly giving the impression that he wants to keep the striker.

But with David Moyes a big operator in the Championship during  transfer windows it would be absolutely no surprise were he to be interested in making a bid.

In reality the Hammers probably need two strikers with Mikey Antonio probably a 20 game a season player with his hamstring problems.

With a year left on his contract at the end of this season Rovers look likely to accept a sensible bid for the player.

In the meantime Mowbray can do nothing to discourage bids for the prolific hitman whilst encouraging him to consider staying at the club.

He said: “If, in his stomach, he wants to go and play in the Premier League and he wants to do it now, we’re not really in a position, financially, to stop that”,

“My advice to Adam, when I’ve been sitting down and chatting to him, would be that there’s growth for him here he  told the Lancashire Telegraph..

“He has to ask himself; ‘is he going to start in the Premier League, play all 38 games and score 20 goals in the Premier League, now?’, I would suggest, maybe not.

“My suggestion would be that he should stay here, sign a good contract, enjoy playing every week, score another 25-30 goals and keep learning the game.

“He’s still a young lad and it’s not as if his career is running away from him and the time’s winding down.”

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Hugh Southon is a lifelong Iron and the founding editor of ClaretandHugh. He is a national newspaper journalist of many years experience and was Bobby Moore's 'ghost' writer during the great man's lifetime. He describes ClaretandHugh as "the Hammers daily newspaper!"

Follow on Twitter @hughsouthon

3 comments

  • mooro66uk says:

    Think i’d prefer Toney out of the two. There’s plenty of strikers that fit the bill. We’ve been linked to about a dozen so far. As for a defensive midfielder I really like Brownhill but don’t think Burnley will let him go. C.B. Anderson from Fulham. Attacking midfield, I’m a great admirer of Pereira at West Brom. Also like Trossard, Almiron and Lookman. All creative and hard workers. GK, Sam Johnson. 4 of those are pretty certain to be relegated so they could well be up for moves.

  • GaryD says:

    Striking is a not just about ability but confidence. No-one has more of the latter than young men. Move at 24 when you know you are able to beat the best, or wait till you are 27 and have let the chance slip by?
    Agree with MW. Striker then midfielder. I like OKAY from WBA. Not on par with Rice or Soucek but meaner and willing. Would likely get for a song.

  • mark wiggins says:

    Interesting Hugh looks like a decent player but so does Ivan Tony . Who would you prefer if we had the choice . Agree we need 2 strikers and to be a good window a left back for competition and to improve the squad. After that another midfielder in the Rice/ Soucek mold definitely need cover there , I hope you agree not that that is essential!. Than maybe a keeper and defender if Balbuena goes but again someone that will improve the team . I know a lot depends on where we finish & available funds but I see that as a must have if we get that CL spot which I think we will ⚒

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