DAVID Dunn's future as a Blackburn player was today shrouded in doubt after the Rovers midfielder turned down the offer of a new contract.

Rovers boss Graeme Souness wants Dunn to stay at Ewood next season and the club approached him about the possibility of signing a new deal at the weekend.

However, the England midfielder has indicated he is not prepared to commit his long-term future to the club, which could now hasten his departure this summer.

Chief executive John Williams held talks with Dunn on Sunday regarding the possibility of extending his current contract, which still has two years left to run.

But the player has hinted he sees his future elsewhere, which could scupper any plans Souness has of keeping him next season.

Dunn and Souness fell out earlier in the year and the manager said he was willing to let the 23-year-old go if Rovers received a suitable bid.

However, the Ewood chief has vigorously denied Press stories that Dunn was given an ultimatum of 'sign or leave' during talks at the weekend.

"That's totally unfair. No-one has told him he has to leave at all," said Souness.

"What we have done is ask him if he would be willing to sign a new contract and he's said 'no' he won't.

"So the reality is we've offered him an extension. I'm under no pressure to make a decision.

"I want him in the squad for next year and it will be in everyone's interests if he starts next season here and does well for us.

"We'd be very reluctant sellers if it ever came to losing David Dunn.

"We've just had a great season and we'd be foolish to think we can't do any better than that.

"So I'm not about to sell off all my best players if I can help it."

No specific terms were discussed during the talks between Williams and the player.

Dunn was simply asked if he would be prepared to extend his stay at Rovers beyond the remaining two years of his contract and he said 'no.'

"There was no mention of the length of contract or money," said Souness.

"John Williams simply asked him if he was prepared to sign a new deal and he said 'no' and that was the end of it."

Although Souness sees Dunn as part of his plans for next season, the situation could ultimately be taken out of his hands if the player insists on a move.

With just two years remaining on his contract, Dunn's transfer value is diminishing all the time.

Birmingham and Everton are both thought to be monitoring the situation closely.

Meanwhile, Rovers remain keen on a move for Millwall midfielder Stephen Reid, as we have previously revealed, but talk of a £2 million move being completed by the end of the week is premature.