Rovers set for Dickov

Rovers chief executive John Williams met the player and his representatives for talks in Manchester yesterday.

And the club are now set to follow up their interest with an official bid for the 31-year-old who could be available for a knockdown £150,000 fee.

"Discussions went okay," said Williams in reference to yesterday's meeting.

"He's talking to a lot of clubs but the position is he now knows we're interested in signing him.

"He's got plenty of choice so we've told him what we've got to offer and we've tried to sell the club to him.

"Now it's down to him to decide what he wants to do next."

A clutch of rival clubs are also chasing the signature of a player who has suddenly become the most wanted man in the Premiership.

Norwich City, West Brom, Portsmouth and Birmingham have already expressed an interest in signing the Scottish international this summer.

And Dickov was also thought to have had talks with Everton yesterday whilst he was in the area.

As I understand it, the player is thought to favour a move to the North West because he still owns property in the Manchester area following his time with Manchester City.

Sources in the Midlands have also told me that Birmingham may now have dropped out of the running as Steve Bruce is rumoured to be ready to offer Stern John a new contract instead.

That would therefore point to a straight fight between Rovers and Everton for a player who scored 13 goals for Leicester last season.

In the meantime, Andy Cole's agent, Paul Stretford, has met with Graeme Souness to seek clarification regarding his client's future at the club.

And the message coming out of Ewood today seemed to suggest that Cole will still be at Rovers next season.

"His agent has already had a meeting with Graeme and the position is still the same," said Williams.

"Andy is a Blackburn player and he's got a year left to run on his contract."

Meanwhile, Souness may take another look at Morten Pedersen when he plays for Norway against Wales in Oslo tonight.