Middlesbrough’s Britt Assombalonga was linked with Blackburn Rovers.
Blackburn Rovers boss Tony Mowbray says Middlesbrough’s Britt Assombalonga was not a realistic January target as his side couldn’t afford the player, the Lancashire Telegraph reports.
A report from Sky Sports claimed the Boro striker emerged as a target for Blackburn late in the transfer window, with the Teesside club looking to recoup most of the £15 million they paid for him back in 2017.
Mowbray, however, cited a potential switch to Ewood Park as a non-starter when asked if a deal was close, saying: “No. Basically because he’s someone we could not afford.”
Mowbray was said to be looking at strengthening his side’s attack late in the January transfer window, but the club also missed out on loaning Southampton’s Sam Gallagher with his parent club unwilling to let him leave.
Blackburn were one of the quietest Championship clubs in January, but there is a tight-knit feel at Ewood Park and an influx of new players is not always smart business with teams seeking to maintain momentum.
Rovers are on a run of four straight wins and find themselves three points outside the play-off places.
Boro, meanwhile, are fifth in the Championship but manager Tony Pulis has not been convinced by Assombalonga, with the striker starting just three of Boro’s past 13 league games. The former Nottingham Forest man has netted seven times in 24 appearances this season.
Blackburn did manage to bring in one former Boro player last month, though, adding midfielder Harry Chapman to their ranks, while Paul Downing was the only senior player to depart the Lancashire club.
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