Blackburn Rovers backed to sign Sunderland player 'in a heartbeat' | OneFootball

FLW's Blackburn Rovers fan pundit shares their thoughts on the club's links with Alan Browne

Blackburn Rovers' slow start to the summer transfer window is bound to have some supporters worried about the season ahead, though some of those worries could be extinguished if the club can complete the addition of a rival's former star.

Since Tony Mowbray assumed control at Ewood Park, in what is his second spell at the helm in Lancashire, things have been relatively quiet around the place.

Malian midfielder Moussa Baradji remains the only permanent addition at Blackburn this summer, with his loan from Swiss side Yverdon having been turned into a long-term contract.

Links to other players here and there have occurred, but no other concrete moves have been reported to have been close to happening, though that could be about to change very soon, with Rovers having seemingly set their sights on a rival's former midfield star.

Blackburn Rovers are interested in former Preston North End midfielder Alan Browne after successful Middlesbrough loan

Action images

After a successful loan spell with Middlesbrough from Sunderland, Irish midfielder Alan Browne is expected to be on the move once again this summer.

Browne, 31, helped Sunderland to the Premier League in 2025, and nearly replicated that feat with Middlesbrough recently before Hull City got the better of Boro at Wembley.

According to the Lancashire Telegraph, Blackburn are interested in bringing the experienced midfielder to Ewood Park this summer, though his 414 appearances for Preston North End across all competitions may have some role to play in the move going forward.

Football League World's Blackburn fan pundit, Simon Middlehurst, has shared their thoughts on Browne's links with the club this summer, and whether his links with Preston could scupper a potential deal.

Simon said: "Absolutely, we'll take Alan Browne in a heartbeat.

"He's got a lot of experience at his level, obviously was a big part of Middlesbrough last season getting into the play-offs, etc., and, obviously, he's well-liked at Preston; he was always consistent there.

"So absolutely, I think it would be a great addition to the squad, something that we do need in midfield since losing Sondre Tronstad. We need someone to come in now and fill that void.

"Can a deal be done? I think he's going to have a lot of people looking at him and looking at the state of what Blackburn is, how things are going off the pitch and looking at the squad strength, etc. at the minute. I don't think he would want to come to Blackburn. I think he'd want to go somewhere else that's got a bit more of a structure and a bit more stability in the squad.

"But if we did get a deal done for him, I think he would be a great addition to the club. You know, he's a great player and with a lot of experience in the Championship and exactly what we need."

Tony Mowbray must do everything in his power to convince Alan Browne to make Blackburn Rovers switch

Action images

Since returning to Blackburn, Mowbray has yet to make a single addition to the squad, but surely must be keen to stamp his authority on the Rovers squad sooner rather than later.

Browne's links with Preston cause an obvious sticking point, with the fierce Lancashire rivalry almost certainly playing a part in the Irishman's thoughts over a potential move.

With Sunderland retaining their status in the Premier League for another year, the Irishman would need a huge change in fortunes to stand any chance of sticking around at the Stadium of Light for another year, with another exit the most likely option.

Blackburn are interested, and with the departure of Trondstad, he would be a welcome addition to the club's midfield, though whether he would be willing to make the move at this stage is up in the air.