Blackburn’s Tony Mowbray discusses Southampton ace Harrison Reed’s Fulham loan

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The Saints ace and St Mary’s Stadium academy graduate spent last season on loan at Ewood Park but is with the Cottagers this term.

Following Southampton’s decision to loan Harrison Reed out to Fulham, Blackburn Rovers boss Tony Mowbray gave his thoughts as his side missed out on the talented Saints academy graduate, in conversation with the Lancashire Telegraph.

The outlet reports that the 1994-95 Premier League champions made a deadline day move for the Southampton midfielder, who became a fan favourite during his stint at Ewood Park last season, but he is now plying his trade for Rovers’ Championship rivals.

Mowbray admitted that Blackburn, who were beaten 2-0 by Fulham at Craven Cottage last weekend, were unable to compete with the “financial power” of the West Londoners, who spent the 2018-19 campaign in the Premier League but were relegated after one season.

However, he bore no ill will towards Southampton for their decision to send Reed on loan to Fulham, simply stating that “business is business” and comparing their decision with Blackburn’s decision regarding Tyler Magloire going to Rochdale on loan.

“He was someone we tried very hard to bring back, yet we couldn’t match the financial power of a club have just been relegated from the Premier League,” Mowbray said of Reed to the Lancashire Telegraph. “Fulham can easily pick up the salary of a Premier League player.

“Last year with Harrison Reed it took a lot of negotiations, a lot of talking, I know the people at Southampton very well. But business is business. When you’re a Premier League club, they are rarely looking to do you a favour. It’s like us but on a lesser scale, like when Tyler Magloire goes to Rochdale. Can they pay his salary? No. But it’s more beneficial for him to play football and come back ready to play in our team. That’s the call Southampton have but with much bigger numbers.”

Reed, 24, has come through the ranks at St Mary’s Stadium, making his debut in 2013, but is yet to fully establish himself in the first team, with 30 senior appearances under his belt (Transfermarkt), though the Saints say they look forward to monitoring his continued progress (official website).