Manager drops Balazs Toth update as Celtic push for Blackburn Rovers transfer | OneFootball

Tony Mowbray has issued an update on Balazs Toth's future amid links to Celtic

Blackburn Rovers boss Tony Mowbray is unaware of any bids for goalkeeper Balazs Toth, despite reports linking him with a move to Celtic.

The Hungarian shot-stopper is in the final year of his contract at Ewood Park and has rejected any fresh extension offers this summer.

Toth has been heavily linked with the reigning Scottish champions, with reports earlier this week stating that Martin O'Neil's side were in "advanced talks" with Blackburn over a sale.

The chances of him moving before the window closes are quite high, as Rovers risk losing him for free next summer if he remains at Ewood Park. However, despite there being a contingency plan in place if he does leave, Blackburn are yet to receive any bids.

Tony Mowbray issues update on Balazs Toth's future

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Toth has started both of Blackburn's competitive outings this season, in the EFL Cup against Burton Albion and in the Championship's opener against Wolves a week ago.

Despite those earlier reports believing that the 28-year-old's move away had advanced, Rovers head coach Tony Mowbray told the press before their game against Middlesbrough tomorrow that he expects his first-choice keeper to play, and that he doesn't feel anything has changed regarding a potential departure.

"I genuinely haven't got one more iota of knowledge, to be honest," he said. "I'm pretty sure there have been no bids, no offers, nothing for him, and it seems to be very media-driven.

"I've got nothing to say, nothing to add, because I don't know anything more. He is a very calm, cool kid, to be honest. He's not fazed at all.

"He tells me he's just getting on with every day's training and just keeps going, so that's what I expect from him."

Tony Mowbray admits contingency plans are in place if Balazs Toth leaves for Celtic

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With Toth in the final year of his deal, though, there's no ruling out a departure in the final week of the transfer window. Last summer, Blackburn had to see the likes of Callum Brittain and Lewis Tavis depart as they entered the final years of their respective contracts.

And while Rovers are no strangers to letting players run their contracts out — Tyrhys Dolan did last summer, while Sondre Tronstad did this year — Mowbray admitted that a contingency plan is in place if the Hungarian international is sold.

"I sit in the coaches' office every day. I don't really sit in an office by myself," he continued. "I sit with my coaches every day to discuss football, squads and players. We ask, 'What do you think about this?' and assess players' potential.

"So while in my mind there have been no bids, no contact about any of our goalkeepers, we do sit and think, ' What if this happens, and where do you think we're going? ' and we talk about the players, and we talk about the potential options for what if.

"If nothing happens, we carry on because I think the goalkeeping department is pretty strong with Toth and Pears particularly, and then the young ones underneath all competing.

"I think we have discussed it, different ideas, different thoughts, whether it be a Premier League loan, whether it be a really talented young goalkeeper from somewhere. Are they coming in to be number two, and if Toth went, would we put Pears straight back in?

"For me, you have to create competition. So you have to get the best goalkeeper that you can get and then assess on a daily basis, and then we pick the team, and we try and win football matches."

Time is running out for Celtic to make a meaningful bid for Balazs Toth

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While Blackburn may feel incentivised to sell Toth this summer due to his contract situation, it doesn't mean that the higher-ups at Ewood Park will be ready to accept any opening bid. They'll still want to receive value for their first-choice keeper.

The transfer window closes on September 1. Blackburn have the ill fortune of an interrupted week in the final stages of that window due to their progression in the EFL Cup. They host Sheffield United on Tuesday evening.

There'll be plenty of juggling between that game and potential ins and outs in the final stages of the window. Given Blackburn's relative inactivity thus far, Rovers fans will be hoping to see some good news out of the club next week.

One thing they won't want to feel is shorthanded in the goalkeeper department, and while plans are in place if Toth leaves, those won't kick in if the 28-year-old remains at Ewood Park, and they'll take time to complete themselves.

So, if Celtic leave things too late, and Blackburn can't bring a replacement in, they may accept that they'll lose Toth either in January or for free next summer if it means that they remain strong in goal in the interim.