How do you solve a 51-goal hole in just one transfer window? That’s an issue that could be facing Tony Mowbray.

Adam Armstrong netted 28 times in the Championship and added five assists, and factored in the 18 goal contribution of Harvey Elliott (seven goals and 11 assists) and there you have over half a century of goal involvements.

Rovers won’t, and haven’t, given up the prospect of Armstrong remaining at Ewood Park, but that is reliant on him signing a new deal. Heading into the final 12 months of his current contract, signed when joining from Newcastle United in 2018, Armstrong’s value will only fall the longer time goes on.

If there was a guarantee that Armstrong staying would lead to promotion, then you could understand the £20m risk Rovers could take were he to not sign a new deal but stay.

But after a season in which the striker has scored 28 goals, and yet the team finished 15th, there isn’t much more that Armstrong could have done, his form sadly not a guarantee of success.

So the situation for Rovers seems to be either agreeing a new deal, or finding a buyer.

Knowing sooner rather than later which direction the Armstrong story will go is vital, yet the importance of the deal to Rovers means they can’t simply take the first offer that is on the table.

The positive news is there are clubs in the running, West Ham and Fulham first to show their interest, the latter fuelled by parachute payments, the former by European football next season.

While Rovers have the asset and a valuation of Armstrong, his contractual situation and the sell-on clause work against them.

While Ollie Watkins’ move from Brentford to Aston Villa set the bar for Championship to Premier League switches, Rovers would likely have to settle for much closer to £20m than the near £30m the Bees got.

Equally, Rovers haven’t had the luxury of big money player sales in recent years, only two in the last decade (Jordan Rhodes and Phil Jones) have topped the £10m mark, and only one (David Raya) has been into seven figures since 2016.

An important summer on the negotiation table awaits, as the future of Armstrong will dictate where Rovers can go with their other business.

They will need at one attacking option this summer, whatever happens with Armstrong, and if he and Harry Chapman depart, or the latter isn’t viewed ready for first-team involvement if he does sign a new contract, then it could be as many as.

Ronan Curtis of Portsmouth is an attractive proposition given his ability to play wide, but also provide a goal threat.

They will need to replace the creativity of Elliott, but may look to do that in the midfield, rather than attacking positions, with more expected of Sam Gallagher and Ben Brereton.

They managed 15 goals and seven goals between them in 2020/21, from the two wide positions either side of Armstrong. Will Mowbray opt for either one, or possibly both in a 4-4-2 formation, to lead the line should Armstrong depart?

Armstrong is unique in what he offers, able to play as a lone striker despite his stature, and for £1.75m he has proven to be a bargain, factoring in his goals, assists, workrate when playing wide on the left, and also the amount of appearances he has clocked up.

Famara Diedhiou and Britt Assombalonga will be attractive, but expensive, free agent options, after leaving Bristol City and Middlesbrough respectively, Adam Idah of Norwich City a possible loan target, with the clamour for strikers every year always very high.

Ellis Simms, among the goals for Blackpool in League One on loan from Everton, while Rovers’ relationship with Manchester City will mean their Academy prospects Liam Delap and Cole Palmer will undoubtedly by on their radar, with Jeremy Braaf a previous target.

More progression will be expected from Tyrhys Dolan next season, while Dan Butterworth will hope to overcome his injury issues in a bid to force his way into the first-team picture, and deliver on the promise Tony Mowbray has always admired.

There is also the chance that Rovers could utilise Joe Rankin-Costello in more of an attacking role moving forward. The 21-year-old hasn’t been able to fully show his eye for goal on the first-team stage, but his preference to play from the left in an attacking role, is one that would be worth, at the very least, exploring.

Connor McBride was among the goals for the Under-23s, but is one the club will consider a loan move for, leaving Sam Burns to lead the goalscoring charge next season.