Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United continue talks with midfielder deal likely
Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United have held talks over a deal for Rory Finneran this week with St. James’ Park his most likely destination, as per The Secret Scout.
Blackburn Rovers have seen a whole host of top youngsters come through their ranks over the years and Irish prospect Finneran looks like one of the latest destined for a future at a high level.
He became Rovers’ youngest ever player when he came on off the bench against Cambridge United in the FA Cup earlier this year. He made the outing at just 15, replacing hat-trick scorer Sammie Szmodics in the 5-2 win.
Now 16, Finneran has seen speculation circulate over his future, and it seems a leader has emerged in the race for his signature.
Writing on X, trusted youth football news source The Secret Scout has said that Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United have held talks over a possible deal for Finneran this week. The Magpies are hoping to get a deal done before pre-season and while the midfielder has admirers in Germany, the north east is looking like his ‘likely’ destination.
Finneran has been playing above his age group in academy football with seven Premier League 2 appearances to his name in the 2023/24 season.
Finneran wouldn’t be the first EFL prospect to make a high-profile move to a top club and he certainly won’t be the last. Blackburn Rovers might have been hopeful of bringing him through the ranks and into the first-team, but this will be a tough one for the youngster to turn down.
Newcastle United are investing in their youth ranks more and more and adding Finneran to their squad would see them claim another fine young talent.
There is a path to first-team football at Ewood Park and Finneran will be more than aware of that having already made his debut. Adam Wharton is the most recent example of a top prospect whoo stayed put with Rovers, breaking into the side before making a move away.
However, it looks as though Finneran will be heading elsewhere before becoming a first-team regular.
The summer ahead for Rovers
While Finneran looks to be heading elsewhere, Blackburn Rovers will be focusing most of their energy on building a first-team squad capable of pushing back up the Championship table.
The 2023/24 season was a tough one but with John Eustace heading into his first window in charge, he’ll be hoping some signings of his own can see him put his mark on the squad.
Rovers haven’t exactly been flush for cash in recent seasons, so Eustace will have to be shrewd with his business just as predecessor Jon Dahl Tomasson was.
The new-look hierarchy at Ewood Park will be keen to aid Eustace as much as possible this summer as they look to make notable improvements on the previous campaign.
