Callum Brittain has returned to training with Blackburn Rovers as he awaits permission to formally speak to Middlesbrough over a much mooted summer transfer.
The attack-minded right-back is Boro ‘s current main target to fill the gap in the squad on the right side of their defence, having excelled in recent seasons at Blackburn.
With just one year remaining on his Rovers deal, he has rejected a new contract offer and has made clear his desire to pursue other opportunities, with Boro believed to be his preferred destination ahead of Derby County.
There was hope of some progress over the weekend when Brittain was left out of Blackburn’s squad for a friendly with Accrington Stanley. Head coach Valerien Ismael claimed he refused to play. According to the Lancashire Telegraph, the Frenchman, who managed Brittain at Barnsley, was understanding of the 27-year-old’s situation and offered him a few days off in the hope negotiations between the two clubs would progress.
However, as things stand, Boro and Blackburn have reached an impasse over their respective valuations of the player and, as a result, Brittain has returned to training with the Lancashire outfit. Brittain featured numerous times in a social media video from training put out by Rovers on Thursday morning.
Boro are still waiting for their first transfer breakthrough of the summer, as they aim to strengthen Rob Edwards’ squad ahead of the new season. While there is a need for some early flexibility as the new head coach assesses his options and the exact way he’d like his team to play, there are certain areas in the squad – one of which is right-back/wing-back – that Boro know they need to strengthen regardless.
However, as things stand, Boro and Blackburn have reached an impasse over their respective valuations of the player and, as a result, Brittain has returned to training with the Lancashire outfit. Brittain featured numerous times in a social media video from training put out by Rovers on Thursday morning.
Boro are still waiting for their first transfer breakthrough of the summer, as they aim to strengthen Rob Edwards’ squad ahead of the new season. While there is a need for some early flexibility as the new head coach assesses his options and the exact way he’d like his team to play, there are certain areas in the squad – one of which is right-back/wing-back – that Boro know they need to strengthen regardless.
As things stand on Brittain though, the two clubs remain apart in the valuations, leaving Boro with a dilemma. With just over three weeks until the new season kicks off and no new faces in the building as yet, Boro will either have to continue to play hardball in the hope Blackburn soften their stance given Brittain’s contract status and desire to leave, pay more than they ideally want to in order to get the deal done earlier, or finally, move on completely in favour of one of their other identified target.
For now, Boro seem keen to stay in the race for Brittain, but bound by strict PSR constraints and needing to strengthen in a number of areas this summer, they’ll be reluctant to overspend. Boro’s position, other than time, is a strong one given Brittain’s contract status and desire to leave, but Blackburn’s stance remains firm for now, with suggestions he might even go back into the squad for Saturday’s friendly with Everton at Ewood Park.
