Rovers have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Dutch midfielder Adam Maher.

Boss Tony Mowbray watched Maher in action for AZ Alkmaar last month, and with the 25-year-old out of contract this summer, Rovers were keen on bringing him to Ewood Park.

Maher has made clear his intention of leaving Alkmaar just months after returning to club where he made his name.

Alkmaar finished fourth in the Eredivisie but will see manager John van den Brom switch leave for FC Utrecht.

And with Utrecht having secured Europa League football for next season with a sixth-placed finish, Dutch news outlet De Telegraaf are reporting that van den Brom is set to win the race for Maher to link up with the midfielder this season.

Maher played 25 times for AZ this season, impressing in the centre of midfield, attracting the attention of Rovers, as well as Celtic, QPR, Fenerbahçe and Brescia.

But he now looks set to move be reunited with his current AZ boss at Utrecht next season.