Blackburn Rovers are pushing for a deal to sign experienced Sunderland centre-back Danny Batth.
The 32-year-old was an unused substitute in the Black Cats’ season opener against Ipswich Town on Saturday as Alex Neil’s men fell to a 2-1 defeat on home soil. Alan Nixon states that this was in order to push through a move to Blackburn.
Batth did, however, feature last night for Sunderland in the Carabao Cup. He played the entirety of the match as Crewe Alexandra progressed to the next round on penalties following a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light.
After a few weeks of uncertainty regarding his future at the club, he has been given the shock decision to enable his departure due to no signs of a new contract.
Neil is under pressure to reduce the age and wage bill of his side, and Batth is in the firing line despite being named Player of the Season for his efforts during the last campaign, so Rovers may now capitalise.
Jon Dahl Tomasson has been keeping tabs on the Wolverhampton Wanderers academy graduate all summer, and the Black Cats have now invited Blackburn to open talks with their target.
Batth to Blackburn?
Labelled ‘brilliant’ by former manager Lee Johnson, any deal that sees the defender head to Ewood Park this summer would depend on Sunderland allowing him to leave as a free agent.
That could possibly be a stalling point in the deal, but Rovers may get lucky on this occasion with Neil being forced to cut down his squad before the transfer window closes.
Batth has a wealth of experience having amassed 465 club appearances, predominantly in the Championship, over the course of his career.
A composed presence at the back, Batth would be a shrewd addition for Blackburn if they are to pull it off.