Celtic’s pursuit of Blackburn Rovers midfielder Balazs Toth appears to be gathering serious momentum, with Rovers manager Tony Mowbray revealing that the Hungarian international’s agent has already told the club the player has been sold.
Mowbray confirmed the blunt message from Toth’s representative, which signals that the 22-year-old considers his time at Ewood Park to be over, even if the two clubs have not yet finalised any official agreement. It is a bold move from the player’s camp, and one that suggests Toth himself is fully committed to making the switch to Parkhead happen.
The midfielder has knocked back a new contract at Blackburn, making his intentions crystal clear. He wants out, and Celtic appear to be the destination he has set his sights on.
For Celtic, landing Toth would represent another smart piece of business in what has been a busy transfer window. The Hoops have been building depth across the squad, and a technically gifted central midfielder with international experience fits the profile of player Brendan Rodgers typically targets. Toth has been a consistent performer in the Championship, and his ability on the ball combined with his work rate has attracted attention from several clubs.
Mowbray was understandably frustrated when speaking about the situation. Having a key player essentially declare himself sold before any deal is done puts the club in a difficult position, leaving Blackburn with little leverage in negotiations. The Rovers boss has been open about the fact that keeping Toth was a priority, but the player’s refusal to sign fresh terms has effectively ended that possibility.
Toth has been a standout figure for Hungary at international level too, earning caps and building a reputation as one of the more promising midfielders of his generation in Eastern Europe. That international pedigree is exactly the kind of profile Celtic look for when recruiting from outside Scotland, and it suggests he would not need a lengthy settling-in period to handle the demands of European football.
Celtic have been active in the market as they prepare for another Champions League campaign, and strengthening the engine room of the team is clearly a priority. The Hoops have shown in recent seasons that they can attract players who might otherwise head to bigger leagues, with the prospect of European nights at Parkhead and regular title challenges proving to be a genuine selling point.
For Blackburn, the situation is frustrating but not entirely surprising. Championship clubs regularly find themselves in this position, developing players only to see them move on when bigger opportunities come calling. Mowbray will now be focused on getting a fair fee for a player who still has value, even if the power in the negotiation has shifted considerably given the public nature of Toth’s desire to leave.
The coming days will likely see the two clubs work towards an agreement, with Toth’s agent having already set the wheels in motion. Celtic fans will be watching developments closely, hopeful that this one gets over the line before the window slams shut.
Blackburn will be gutted to lose him like that, feels a bit disrespectful to be honest. Celtic always seem to get what they want in the end though don’t they. Good luck to the lad I suppose.