AFC Bournemouth’s Mark Travers is set to join Championship side, Blackburn Rovers, on loan despite interest from Stratsbourg and Rayo Vallecano.

Blackburn have struggled to compensate for the loss of former goalkeeper, Thomas Kaminski, since his switch to Luton Town last summer.

Travers has over seventy Bournemouth appearances

Ireland-capped goalkeeper, Mark Travers, emerged through the youth academy at the Cherries back in 2019, with the 25-year-old’s most consistent season being back in 2021/22 when the goalkeeper helped Bournemouth clinch promotion to the Premier League

Travers featured in twelve of Bournemouth’s Premier League fixtures following their return to the top flight although his role within the squad was reduced to being a backup goalkeeper upon the arrival of Barcelona ‘keeper, Neto, on a free transfer.

Bournemouth subsequently loaned Travers the following summer to Stoke City, only to recall the goalkeeper in October after making fourteen appearances for the Potters due to Neto suffering an ankle injury.

Neto displayed no signs of waning when he returned to full fitness however with the veteran goalkeeper signing a new three-year deal with the Cherries towards the end of last season, as well as being handed the armband by Andoni Iraola.

Blackburn Rovers are ‘closing in’ on a loan move for Travers

With Neto seemingly immovable from Iraola’s starting eleven, Bournemouth appear keen to move Mark Travers on loan elsewhere, with Pete O’Rourke claiming that the Irishman has interest from Rayo Vallecano, Strasbourg as well as Blackburn Rovers.

Despite European top-flight interest, Travers is reportedly set to move for a return to the Championship with Blackburn Rovers with the Riversiders believed to now be closing in on completing the move.

A loan would presumably be a season-long one with Travers only lasting a matter of months on loan at Stoke City and Swindon Town for varying reasons, the 25-year-old will be hoping a switch to Ewood Park goes much smoother.

Rovers have struggled to replace Thomas Kaminski

The prospective arrival of Mark Travers would provide John Eustace with a proven goalkeeper, something that Blackburn have struggled to obtain ever since the departure of Belgian goalkeeper, Thomas Kaminski, who joined Luton Town last summer.

Blackburn signed Swedish goalkeeper, Leopold Wahlstedt, last summer although the 25-year-old fell out of favour just weeks before the arrival of John Eustace and failed to reclaim his starting spot barring injury-forsaken circumstances.

Eustace preferred Aynsley Pears in between the sticks, although the 26-year-old failed to wow Rovers fans and has already let in five goals in his opening three Championship games, with Travers likely deemed a significant upgrade.