Rovers are among the Championship sides searching for a new first-choice goalkeeper, with Middlesbrough’s Aynsley Pears the latest to be linked with a move to Ewood Park.

Swansea, Derby, Rotherham and Boro are also on the lookout for a new No.1 ahead of the 2020/21 season and often doing battle for the same players.

Rovers were at linked with loan moves for Leicester City’s Daniel Iversen, and Manchester City’s Arijanet Muric, but Premier League clubs have bumped up their demands to take their prospects on temporary deals.

Tony Mowbray would prefer a permanent option, after Christian Walton returned to Brighton after his season-long loan, and has hinted at the prospect of signing a young goalkeeper to develop behind a more experienced first-choice option.

That is where Pears could fit in, with sources in the north east indicating the 22-year-old is on Rovers’ radar in their quest to find two new goalkeepers.

Pears played 25 times last season, but is in to the last year of his contract, and was selected just twice by new Boro boss Neil Warnock who himself is looking for a new goalkeeper.

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AYNSLEY PEARS

Son of former Boro man Stephen Pears who was a long-time team-mate of Tony Mowbray on Teesside.

Pears played when the sides met at the Riverside and made 25 appearances in all during what was a breakthrough season after time in non-league with Gateshead.

At a tad over six feet tall, isn’t the biggest, but did get plaudits for strong displays during his time in the side after the departure of Darren Randolph. However, Neil Warnock preferred January signing Dejan Stojanovic to Pears for much of his time in charge, and is set to go in to the market for another goalkeeper this summer.

Pros: Possibility of a permanent transfer, and at 22, would have plenty of development in him.

Cons: Question marks over whether he would be able to come in as undisputed No.1, or need to work under a more senior options.

DANIEL IVERSEN

The Leicester City goalkeeper is yet to make an appearance for the Foxes, but at 23, has still managed to get a number of appearances under his belt already. Has played 87 times in the EFL, and capped by Denmark at all age groups, including 16 caps for their Under-21s.

After a season in League Two and League One, a move to the Championship would make sense for his development, and Iversen is highly-rated by the Foxes, who tied him down to a five-year contract earlier this year.

Speaking of Iversen, Millers boss Paul Warne said: "You want your keeper to be brave and take the pressure off your back four. He’s a calming influence. The best compliment I can pay him is that he looks like he’s been here a long while. He was our number one target and he was worth the wait to get.”

Pros: Available, and has experience of regular first-team football across two seasons.

Cons: Leicester’s wage demands would put him towards the top end of Rovers’ salary structure. Would be a loan deal.

ARIJANET MURIC

Was expected to be first choice at Nottingham Forest after signing on loan last summer, only for the Reds to bring in Brice Samba who became undisputed No.1 at the City Ground.

The Manchester City man has actually played more for his country, Kosovo, at senior international level (8) than he has made league starts in his career (5), but has the faith of Manchester City who tied him down to a long-term deal.

The 21-year-old was never able to regain his place in the Forest side after high-profile errors in their early season fixtures and was later recalled by City who are keen for him to get more game-time next season. Rotherham United lead the race for his signature.

Pros: Rovers have a good relationship with City after Tosin Adarabioyo’s loan, and fits the profile of goalkeeper Mowbray would want.

Cons: Inexperienced at first-team level.

DILLON PHILLIPS

An ever-present in the Charlton side and forged himself a reputation as one of the division’s stand-out stoppers, despite a difficult season for the Addicks ending in relegation.

Including a loan spell at Cheltenham Town, the 25-year-old has 139 appearances to his name.

No bid has been lodged for Phillips, and even despite moving in to the last 12 months of his deal at The Valley, would represent the most expensive of the options given he would command a seven-figure fee.

Lee Bowyer said last month: “If someone comes for Dillon then with the club’s state at the moment are you telling me they are not going to sell him? Of course they will.”

Pros: Championship experience with an excellent season under his belt, would represent good value with potential to push on.

Cons: Could well prove to be out of Rovers’ price range were they to pursue a move.

DAVID CORNELL

A free agent having left Northampton Town and was of interest to Rovers in January.

The Welshman came through the ranks at Swansea City but was with the Cobblers where he found a real home, 108 times in four years in what was the most regular run of games in his career.

Played 38 times last season, but didn’t feature in any of the three play-off matches, as Northampton sealed promotion.

But Keith Curle did back him to play at a higher level, admitting: “Without going into the details, in my opinion, Dai needed a new challenge. That’s a conversation I had with him and fair play to him because a lot of things we spoke about, he agreed with.

“Potentially, Dai could go and play at a higher level and compete at a higher level but I think the timing was right for him as an individual to go and test himself in new surroundings.”

Pros: Available on a free transfer, previously of interest to Rovers, and wages unlikely to be a sticking point.

Cons: Yet to play in the Championship, and finished last season not first choice at Northampton.