Rovers to plan for all transfer eventualities with Adam Armstrong

Armstrong’s scored his sixth goal in his last five matches at Rotherham United to take his tally to 26 as interest hots up in the Rovers frontman.

Mowbray told the Lancashire Telegraph after Armstrong’s hat-trick against Huddersfield Town that it wasn’t inevitable that the striker departed this summer, despite his form infront of goal, and with contract due to expire next summer.

West Ham United have a long-standing interest in the striker, with Premier League side Brighton also linked, and while Mowbray doesn’t want to lose his star man, he says Rovers must plan should that be the case.

“In my opinion, it’s best that we keep Adam Armstrong, but if Adam and his advisors decide that it’s time to go, then we have to try and reinvest and make sure that we don’t weaken as a team,” the manager said.

“We got Adam for less than £2m, which is why I always talk about recruitment and push it so hard.

“We have to make sure that if Adam does depart and we get some money for him, we have to know where that money is going.” 

Newcastle United have a sell-on in the deal that brought Armstrong to Ewood Park in 2018 after he scored nine times in a loan spell during the League One promotion campaign.

Only Teemu Pukki and Ivan Toney have scored more Championship goals than Armstrong this season, the striker having also found the net 17 times in 2019/20 to be crowned player of the year.

David Moyes has made clear his plans to strengthen in attack, the Hammers having been reliant on Michail Antonio following the January departure of Sebastien Haller.

The Hammers boss ruled out a £40m move for Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham owing to the cost of a potential deal leading to suggestions that Armstrong could be seen as a cheaper alternative.

Rovers didn’t move for a striker last summer, despite the departure of experienced frontman Danny Graham, but it will be a position they will have on their radar this time around given the uncertainty surrounding Armstrong.