Preston & Blackburn Rovers handed Sunderland transfer boost by Regis Le Bris | OneFootball

Sunderland boss, Regis Le Bris has issued an update on Alan Browne's future amid interest from Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers.

Blackburn Rovers and Preston North End look to have been handed a pathway to make a deal for Alan Browne happen in the final few days of the transfer window by Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris.

The Irish midfielder has been with Sunderland since 2024 after his PNE contract expired, and spent last year's campaign on loan with Championship side, Middlesbrough, making a positive impact with the club.

Browne has been linked with a return to his former club, whilst their Lancashire rivals Blackburn have also been credited with interest in the 31-year-old, and so he'll potentially be looking to choose between the two teams before the summer transfer window slams shut.

Regis Le Bris issues Alan Browne transfer stance as Preston & Blackburn lurk

Sunderland boss, Regis Le Bris, has issued an update on Browne's future, stating that every player needs to find the right journey, which hints that his future lies away from the Stadium of Light.

"We'll have the same conversation like we had last season," Le Bris told the Northern Echo.

"He's a really good professional, he's a strong teammate even if he didn't have game-time at the beginning of the season. But for every player we need to find the right journey."

Football League World's Blackburn fan pundit, Simon Middlehurst had previously backed his side to thrash out a deal to sign Browne this summer, as he could add much-needed creativity to Rovers this season.

Blackburn already have some strong options in their ranks, but Browne would be an upgrade on the majority of the options that Tony Mowbray currently has at his disposal.

Whereas Preston are another side that are said to be keen on a deal to sign the midfielder, and the Lancashire-based team need reinforcements at the earliest of opportunities.

North End were beaten by Bolton Wanderers and Wolves in their first two games of the new Championship season, and followed that up with a 4-0 defeat to Premier League side, Everton in Round Two of the EFL Cup.

A return to Preston North End could really tempt Alan Browne

Browne spent ten years with Preston North End, and you would imagine that the midfielder could be tempted by a return to Deepdale over the likes of Blackburn this summer.

He captained the team in his time with the club as well, and made 414 appearances in total for them, before departing in 2024 after rejecting a new contract.

The Irishman could have unfinished business with his former side though, especially when he'll be keen to prove a point after his time with Sunderland hasn't gone as he would have originally hoped.

Browne is still more than good enough to be playing regularly in the Championship, and featured consistently for Middlesbrough in the second-tier last term, as Boro finished fifth in the table, before missing out on promotion after a defeat to Southampton in the play-offs.

Are Sunderland in a rush to sell Alan Browne?

Browne has one year remaining on his current contract with Sunderland, and given that he's considerably far down the pecking order in their plans, it seems as though they're keen to cash-in on him before the transfer window closes.

The Black Cats simply have better options available to them, and if he's not even being included in their matchday squad, then it makes sense for all parties involved for Browne to move on.

It'll be interesting to see the fee involved in any potential agreement for his services, especially with a transfer tussle between Blackburn and Sunderland being set to commence.