'No Duff bids' as Blackburn near new deal

BLACKBURN chief executive John Williams yesterday denied they have received a bid for Damien Duff adding that they are "not miles apart" from agreeing a new deal with the star.

There had been mounting speculation over Duff’s Ewood Park future, with reports now suggesting Rovers have received an offer of around £15m from Liverpool for the Republic of Ireland ace.

However, Williams insists that the reports are incorrect and that they are continuing encouraging talks with Duff and his representatives: “It is not as though we are encouraging any bids. We want Damien to stay at the club and are still in talks with him and his agent over a new, improved deal that will keep him at Ewood Park. We want him in a blue and white shirt next season and we're not miles apart.”

The reports also suggest that Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier will offer former Rovers target Djimi Traore as part of a deal, but Blackburn chief Graeme Souness has said he is no longer looking to bolster his defence. Rovers hope to tie Duff to a new deal before the start of the new Premiership season and, even if they fail to agree terms with the 23-year-old, it will take an offer of in excess of £20m to persuade Blackburn to part with their most prized asset. Duff jetted out with the rest of Graeme Souness's side yesterday for their pre-season tour of Austria and Germany. Williams added that the club are still hopeful of signing Dwight Yorke from Manchester United - but have warned they will switch to another target if a deal is not done soon: ‘‘There’s no change in the Yorke situation. We would like it to be sorted out as quickly as possible one way or another. We’re still talking to Manchester United and they have been helpful in our negotiations, but there is still clear water between the two clubs. We have several irons in the fire should the Yorke deal not go through.

Meanwhile Birmingham boss Steve Bruce is hoping his drawn-out pursuit of Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison will soon be concluded. The deal to land Duff’s international colleague depends on Birmingham striker Andrew Johnson agreeing terms with Palace to move as a makeweight in a switch valued at £4.25 million.

Bruce said yesterday: “The Morrison deal is on-going. I thought we might have had a breakthrough last weekend but there is still some work to do and a lot depends on Andrew Johnson.”

Morrison has been Bruce’s number one summer target having seen the player at first hand during his brief spell in charge of the Eagles.