ROVERS outcast Ciccio Grabbi could be heading for the Ewood exit door this summer after reports in Italy have linked him with a return to his homeland.

Agents working on behalf of the player are thought to have made contact with a number of Italian clubs in a desperate attempt to get him fixed up with a new home.

And fallen giants Napoli appear to be the front-runners, although Rovers would have to stand massive losses in order to get the 27-year-old off the wage bill.

"His agent has told us there are a couple of clubs interested in taking him and I'm continuing to hear various different things," said Rovers chief executive John Williams.

"So there does seem to be a growing view that something might come of it but as yet I've got to say that no-one has been in touch with us in an official capacity."

Grabbi has been linked with various moves back to Italy in the past and even spent half a season on loan at Messina, who then pulled out of a move to sign the player permanently.

However, there may well be substance to this latest round of speculation as Napoli are now managed by the man who sold Grabbi to Rovers for £6.75 million from Ternana two years ago.

Rovers are desperate to off-load the player after his time in England has turned into a nightmare.

As one of the highest earners at the club, his weekly wages are having a draining effect on the wage bill, which is preventing Souness from bringing other new faces in.

But Rovers would have to write-off a huge chunk of his transfer fee to stand any chance of moving him on.

The player himself is thought to have become increasingly disillusioned by his lack of first team chances in the last 12 months and would jump at the chance of a return home.

But in the past his personal demands have frightened off any would be suitors and he will need to take a significant pay-cut in order to get his wish.

Meanwhile, Millwall chairman Theo Paphitis has had a dig at Rovers over their £2 million bid for Steven Reid.

Rovers tabled an offer for the midfielder at the start of the summer which was subsequently rejected by the Lions, prompting Ewood chief Souness to stress he was not prepared to get drawn into a bidding war for the 22-year-old.

Paphitis has hit back by criticising Rovers' handling of the situation.

"The way they offered us payments was unacceptable. To be honest, I think they thought they were shopping out of the Littlewoods catalogue," he said.

"Steven has a long contract and the money offered to us and the way it was offered wasn't right.

"We're under absolutely no pressure at all to sell players.

"We'll sell someone if the right offer comes in and we think we can strengthen our squad with the money."