It looks to be a straight choice between Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest for Blackburn’s Connor Mahoney.
Blackburn Rovers’ Connor Mahoney
Blackburn Rovers midfielder Connor Mahoney faces the biggest decision of his football career so far as he decides which club he will play for next.
Mahoney is out of contract this summer and was on the verge of joining Nottingham Forest on a free transfer – although as the winger is under the age of 24 a fee had to be agreed or set out by a tribunal.
However, as the Nottingham Post reports, at the 11th hour Middlesbrough have entered the race, because despite the fact the 20-year-old had completed a medical at the City Ground a fee had not been agreed with Blackburn.
So who should he choose?
New Middlesbrough manager Garry Monk during the press conference
Middlesbrough
Boro have just come down from the Premier League and will be looking to bounce straight back. Also, their cash windfall from being in the top flight puts them in a better position to offer Mahoney higher wages.
That said, despite the inevitable poaching of their best talent Garry Monk does have a decent squad at his disposal and as Rovers manager Tony Mowbray has already pointed out, there is concern about how much game time the youngster will get next term.
Nottingham Forest manager Mark Warburton
Nottingham Forest
With the deal apparently as good as done it is clear that Mahoney was keen on joining the Reds and almost certainly Mark Warburton’s willingness to promote young talent played a part in that.
However, a poor 2016/17 season does little to suggest Forest would be among the favourites for promotion next time around and perhaps the youngster views Boro as his best route into the top tier.
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