How Newcastle United could be set for a welcome financial windfall this summer

The 24-year-old, a product of the Magpies’ academy, netted his third hat-trick of the season in Rovers’ 5-2 win against Birmingham City on Saturday – making it 28 in total.

His final tally put him second in the Championship goalscoring charts – three behind former Toon man Ivan Toney for Brentford.

Armstrong appeared 21 times for his boyhood club before he was sold to Blackburn in 2018 for £1.75million.

However, the former England under-21s international could be on his way back to the Premier League in the coming months with clubs naturally showing interest.

Mowbray himself said he wouldn’t stand in Armstrong’s way if a move to the top-flight becomes a possibility – and hopes Rovers receive a “ridiculous” offer for their troubles.

United will watch Armstrong’s impending transfer saga with a keen eye. It is understood Steve Bruce’s side will receive 40% of any potential future fee.

Armstrong is out-of-contract at Ewood Park next summer, which means Mowbray and co may be tempted to cash in big while they still can.

“They’re not doing their job if they’re not looking at Adam Armstrong ” Mowbray said.

“That’s out of my control. For Adam’s sake, let’s hope the phone rings and someone offers us a ridiculous amount of money, we shake him by the hand and we say go and bang in loads of goals in the Premier League and we’ll use some of that money in the team and can find another striker who can bang loads of goals in.

“That’s football, that’s happened since the game started. He’s shown what a talent he is, he could have had five today, my analyst is saying the first one wasn’t offside, but there you go.

“There are a few players out there at the end who won’t be here next season but that’s okay, every team has to evolve and grow and develop and young players will get more experience and see whether they can hit the mark and take us where we want to go.”

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