Souness hoping third failed bid is the end

Blackburn Rovers boss Graeme Souness is hopeful that the third failed bid would be the end of Chelsea’s interest in Ireland international Damien Duff.

Souness is anxious that the 24-year-old winger, a target of Liverpool and Manchester United, begin preparations for the new season in earnest.

“We made our case plain that we would like to keep Damien here because we entered a new contract with him a year ago on improved terms,” Souness told Sky Sports News.

“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.

“Now I’m just concentrating on training and getting ready for the season ahead.”