Blackburn Rovers have had no assurances over Rory Finneran's future but remain hopeful they can convince him to sign a professional contract.

The talented Irishman became the club's youngest-ever player in January after coming on for the final minutes of Rovers' 5-2 victory over Cambridge United in the FA Cup.

Aged 15 and 312 days, Finneran made Rovers history as he approaches a huge decision in his career. The midfielder has been offered a professional contract by Blackburn but has been linked with moves elsewhere.

Newcastle United and other Premier League teams have been touted as potential admirers. Finneran is already starring on the youth international stage and is therefore attracting plenty of attention.

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Finneran has been in the Rovers academy system since the age of eight but unless he signs pro-terms, the club are not protected from him leaving the club.

Director of Football Gregg Broughton revealed the club remain in dialogue with Finneran's family but understands that they could lose him if a big-money offer is made elsewhere.

"Rory is a really, really good footballer and he has very high potential," Broughton told The Lancashire Telegraph.

"He comes from a very good family network. I've had good dialogue with his father over the last six to 12 months.

"When we look at the success of English football and the England team right now, EPPP has invested a lot of money into youth development and allowed clubs to make significant improvements in how they develop talent and coaching in this country.

"It's an area I know very well because I have been working in it heavily over the last 25 years. The downside is any player can leave any club at any time and most clubs have a highly-developed scouting network now. No players are under the radar in British football.

"Rory is already playing up a year for Ireland. He's made his first-team debut and become the youngest-ever player for Blackburn Rovers. We remain hopeful that Rory will be here.

"We are also not naive that someone could make a life-changing offer to him and his family that he'll have to consider. That's the reality of British football right now."

Rovers are hoping that the clear pathway set out for Finneran and their other academy graduates will convince him that his best route to the top is via Ewood Park.

Adam Wharton is the perfect example of a young player who went from their first-team debut to the Premier League in 18 months. The club's Category One academy speaks for itself with a rich talent pool and high production line with a clear pathway into the first-team picture.

Eustace has a track record of developing young players too, having given the most minutes to players Under-21 in Europe whilst at Birmingham City in 2022/23.

Broughton hopes these factors will prove influential in negotiations.

"We know at Blackburn Rovers that it's not empty words," he continued. 

"We have a clear pathway to the first team. We know what that would look like, not just in the next 12 months but over the next three years.

"It was the same with Adam Wharton. This is how we see you getting to the Premier League, hopefully with us if we're promoted, or via us. It's the same message and pathway to Rory and all the young players in our academy.

"There is a route here to the top end of the Championship with us and then the Premier League with us and via us."