Blackburn Rovers plot move to sign Sunderland midfielder Alan Browne | OneFootball

The Irishman has reportedly been deemed surplus-to-requirements on Wearside

Blackburn Rovers are reportedly plotting a late transfer move to secure the services of Sunderland midfielder, Alan Browne.

That is according to an update from Alan Nixon via Patreon on Thursday night, with the Republic of Ireland international not in the immediate plans of Regis Le Bris following Sunderland's dramatic return to the Premier League after they defeated Sheffield United in May's Championship play-off final.

Rovers have overseen plenty of change during what has been a hectic and chaotic first pre-season in charge for Valerien Ismael at Ewood Park, with the Frenchman looking to turn the current squad in East Lancashire into one he can very much call his 'own' in the long run.

The former Barnsley boss is looking to build on last season's eighth-placed finish in the second-tier, with his side recently picking up their first points of the current campaign with an impressive and dominant 3-0 away success to Hull City after narrow defeats to West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City.

Ismael remains on the lookout for further bodies to bolster a steady Championship side on paper, and his midfield department could see yet another incoming between now and Monday's 7PM transfer deadline.

Browne is no stranger to supporters in the East Lancashire circle, after previously becoming an established Championship performer and name during a lengthy stint with Rovers' local rivals, Preston North End, for whom he played 414 times, scoring 46 times and registering a further 26 assists.

The Republic of Ireland international's long-term association with the Deepdale outfit ended in July 2024 after he declined a three-year contract extension, subsequently moving to the Stadium of Light as one of Le Bris' first signings in charge following his appointment as head coach, signing a three-year contract with the Wearside club in the process.

However, the 30-year-old's first campaign in the North East didn't exactly go to plan from a personal perspective, despite the fact his side ended a well-documented eight-year exile from the Premier League with their North London success.

Browne made just 22 appearances and 13 starts in last season's Championship for the Mackems, with his solitary goal for the club thus far coming in a 3-1 victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park last August, whilst also featuring for just one minute in the club's play-off campaign in the 2-1 victory over Coventry City in the first leg of the dramatic semi-finals.

Nixon's report now states that the 37-cap international is free to leave Sunderland after falling further down the pecking order following incomings such as a permanent move for Enzo Le Fee, as well as the signings of Granit Xhaka, Habib Diarra and Noah Sadiki.

Nixon also claims that Rovers are likely to face competition for Browne's signature, but the Lancashire location could give them a crucial advantage after his Preston days.

It remains to be seen what sum of money Ismael's side are to part with should a bid come in for the experienced midfielder, but there is no doubt that he would be an ideal replacement for Lewis Travis after the former club captain's long-standing transfer saga was put to bed with a £3m move to Derby County.

During his time at North End, Browne was infamous for his ability to set the tempo of games from a deep-lying position, with his aforementioned return of goal contributions also letting the technical side of his game speak for itself, as well as having a combative side when required.

This would be yet another shrewd signing for Ismael and would strongly compliment the recent incoming of Moussa Baradji, who the Rovers boss views as a box-to-box style midfield player.