Blackburn spurn fresh bid for Duff

BLACKBURN yesterday rejected a fresh offer from Chelsea for winger Damien Duff.

Chelsea, bankrolled by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, have been in touch twice since the weekend to increase their bid for the Republic of Ireland international after making two bids last week. But the Londoners have not quite reached the £17million figure needed to trigger an escape clause in Duff’s contract which would allow him to talk to potential buyers.

Duff is one of the most sought-after players in the Premiership with both Liverpool and Manchester United also linked with him. After bids of £13m and £15m were rejected last week, Chelsea faxed an improved offer of £16m on Monday. In a phone call last night Chelsea did offer £17m but only with add-ons, and that was not enough to trigger the release clause.

Blackburn chief executive John Williams said: “Chelsea made a new offer on Monday night. It’s a very substantial offer in the current climate, but it still falls short of what we require. However, the whole issue is of great significance to the club and I am rightly and properly duty bound to discuss this with not only my colleagues on the board but the club’s major shareholders in Jersey as well.”

Rovers boss Graeme Souness was hopeful this third failed bid would be the end of Chelsea’s interest in Duff.

“We rejected a third written offer from Chelsea at lunchtime because it didn’t come up to our requirements we need or the requirements needed to trigger the clause in Damien’s contract,” Souness told Sky Sports News. “Now I’m just concentrating on training and getting ready for the season ahead.”

England U21 right-back Glen Johnson has completed his £6m move to Chelsea from West Ham, signing a five-year contract yesterday. He and Geremi are the first major signings since Abramovich announced his takeover of the club.

However, despite having now started his spending spree, the Russian faces a test of his financial resolve after being blocked in bids to sign Duff and Edgar Davids. Although Juventus insist they will not sell the Dutchman, he has just one year left on his contract. Abramovich must therefore consider whether to flex his financial muscles even further. He has also targeted Manchester United’s Juan Sebastian Veron, even though coach Claudio Ranieri insists he knows nothing about a bid for the midfielder.