Ryan Nyambe has interest from France - as well as the Championship - in his quest to find a new club.

The right back is hunting for a fresh challenge after turning down the offer of a new contract at Ewood Park.

That saw the Academy graduate become a free agent when his deal expired last month.

Nyambe, who played 201 times for Rovers after making his debut in 2015, had been a mainstay of the side.

Hopes of him extending his stay came when his representatives returned to the negotiating table in April, but no deal has seen been forthcoming.

That has seen the 24-year-old try his luck as a free agent.

Middlesbrough, who landed Rovers captain Darragh Lenihan on a free transfer, have emerged as contenders, while interest from Bournemouth, who signed another ex-Rover in Joe Rothwell have since cooled their interest.

But there is interest from Europe in the Namibia international who would be available on a free transfer, with Rovers not due any compensation due to his age.

One club in France is understood to be keen on a move for Nyambe who didn’t return to pre-season training and become the third Rovers player to turn down the offer of a new deal.

With Lenihan and Rothwell having secured themselves long-term deals away from Ewood Park, Nyambe is looking to follow suit, leaving Rovers to search for a replacement. 

Deyovaisio Zeefuik had been lined up as a potential long-term replacement but has since returned to parent club Hertha Berlin, with Rovers not taking up the option to buy in his loan deal after an injury-hit loan spell saw him play only six times.

Rovers have so far been unable to add to their squad since the raft of summer departures that saw Bradley Johnson and Jacob Davenport join Nyambe, Lenihan and Rothwell in leaving.

Five loanees have also departed from last season’s squad, while uncertainty continues over the future of top scorer Ben Brereton, with West Ham understood to be considering a move for the 23-year-old forward who is into the final year of his deal.

The Hammers have been long-term admirers of Brereton, but David Moyes could now be set to push forward with a move for the forward. 

Mark Warburton, West Ham's new first-team coach, previously worked with the forward at Nottingham Forest and is thought to have recommended Brereton to his new club.

Rovers get their pre-season campaign under way today at Accrington Stanley before heading to Scotland on Tuesday for a four-day training camp which will include matches against Dundee and Celtic.

In all, 28 players were part of the squad that headed to Portugal, including a host of Academy prospects.

Ethan Walker, a free transfer following his release by Preston North End, remains the only new face at the club this summer.

Rovers had hoped to have changed that ahead of the first friendly with Stanley, but they are still to unveil a signing since Walker’s arrival.

Tomasson has looked to use his links with former club Malmo, though central defender Anel Ahmedhodžić and attacker Antonio Colak have this week signed for Sheffield United and Rangers respectively.

Experienced option Jo Inge Berget is understood to have been under consideration, while exciting 23-year-old creative force Veljko Birmanevic is also thought to have been discussed, though his price-tag would likely be out of Rovers’ reach.

Domestic options are also said to have been explored, with Rovers looking to strengthen the spine of their team, as well as providing more flexibility in attack, but as yet their wait for new signings goes on.

The club are hunting for a new head of recruitment in the wake of John Park’s departure.

Gregg Broughton praised the work Park had done prior to his and Tomasson’s arrival, with his playing style, and a ‘healthy’ budget as outlined by Rovers’ director of football are understood to have altered the thinking on targets.

Tomasson had time to assess his squad during the week-long camp in Portugal, and will get a first look at his side in match action in today’s first friendly with Accrington Stanley, after which he will give an update on the club’s search for new signings.

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